The Indian Ocean line of Messageries Maritimes (1952)

This map was created by French illustrator Hervé Baille in 1952 to promote the new route launched by the shipping company Messageries Maritimes.

Messageries Maritimes began operating between 1951 and 1952 with four ocean liners named Ferdinand de Lesseps, Jean Laborde, La Bourdonnais and Pierre Loti. In addition to transporting goods, these ships were also equipped with well-appointed cabins for use by the French upper class on their trips to the colonies of south-east Africa.

The pictorial map features numerous references to the region's typical flora and fauna, as well as some characterisations of the peoples who inhabited it. The route of the Indian Ocean line, which reached East Africa via the Suez Canal, with stops in Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Madagascar, Réunion and Mauritius, is shown in blue.

Sources

• Messageries Maritimes. Indian Ocean Line – Idea Rare Maps