Just down the street from me is a used book shop, the Book Trader at 5344 34th Ave S in Minneapolis. In the back room, along with the stuffed Wart Hog and an Alligator in a four foot box, also stuffed, is a tub with several older BW and Ontario lake maps.

I got a 1969 BW map with canoe routes marked out, I thought the $18 I paid was a bit much. The owner told me they were brought in by a lady who was selling her deceased husband's things. I did not look too deep because I was just passing by on my way home with groceries. Some looked like old Fisher maps on that, now brittle, thin WP paper.

I have been going to this book shop for years and passed up some good stuff because I thought the price was a bit high. I think the lady who owns and runs the place just likes to surround herself with "stuff" and she know where everything is. She watches out for Collie dog stuff for my Wife.

I love looking at the old maps, especially those that have some notes made on them. I have a pile of the old fisher "onion skin" maps (at least that's what we used to call them). I have also found some old portage trails while looking at those maps for quicker routes into remote lakes. Amazing the info that has been lost over the years that you can find on the old maps.

I agree - older is sometimes better.

My 1997 McKenzie maps, especially of the north side of the Gun Flint, have much better information. Trails, vistas, elevations - are all marked.

What were they asking for the stuffed wart hog?

she wants $400,i think for the Gator so the hog head would be sort of spendy.the front windows are full of African game and don't hit your head on the moose on the way in..

the owner was busy with folks buying and selling books so i had no chance to ask about prices yet but she said it was ok to take photos.


what to expect when you go in,walk carefully!!

in one of the back rooms of this cave of wonders is this grocery bag of older maps.looking thru i found these among the heap.



there are many ,many more of all types including the folding county maps from up north.
also these typed canoe tripping notes!


here is a mailer with some names on it.does anyone know who this might be the work of? it looks like a old timer was making a book.

i would think this is a valuable resource and hope someone will buy the bag and save this in one place.
HAVE FUN!!

Thanks for the post. I collect vintage maps and hope to check these out. I have many vintage Fisher and USGS BWCA area maps if any one is looking for a specific lake or area I would be open to sell or trade, email me. I like marked ones best with camp/weather/fishing notes on them. They are great for planning, use, gifts or as decoration. $18 is ok depending on your interest, I have bought and sold them for $1 - $5 - $20 and up to $100+