The Muppets Treasure Island Map and Compass - See Update.

[IBoba IFettish]

I have a long list of props I’d like to create, but my military service has put my prop-making dreams on hold. Thankfully, I’m just over a year away from the end of my contract, and soon I’ll be able to settle in one place for the foreseeable future. During my time in the Marine Corps, I’ve forged lifelong friendships—brothers, really. In our downtime, we chat about movies, video games, and the things that shaped our childhoods.
Now, to the point! My best friend and I were recently talking about The Muppets, and he brought up his favorite, Muppet Treasure Island. He shared how, as a kid, he’d pause the VHS and try to sketch the treasure map. We all know that feeling when a prop grabs hold of us, and this one left a mark on him that’s lasted over 15 years. He’s not the type to attempt making it himself—he wouldn’t enjoy the process—and as a minimalist, he rarely gets attached to objects. So when he talks about something that means this much to him, it’s a big deal. I’d love to surprise him by crafting the map as a gift.
I need your help, RPF!

The Map: I have experience in graphic design, model making, woodworking, and scratch building, so I’m confident I can handle the fabrication. Where I struggle is figuring out the map’s size. I have a network of people I can tap for leatherwork, so that’s covered. The challenge is that the entire map is never fully shown on screen at once. Unless there are DVD extras, deleted scenes, or promotional materials from the movie, I’m working from just a few stills I captured from the Blu-ray. Accuracy is crucial here—because when isn’t it?


Any info or tips are welcome.

 

[PlanetAlexander]

Wow, I love that film! Good on you for making it for your friend.
Just looking at the third picture, the wrinkles make me think that the map could be made out of some really thick fabric (or even layers of it). Maybe you could get the design, print it onto the fabric then do some weathering.
I'm guessing you've searched online for reference images?

 

[Aku]

One of my favorite pirate movies. Unfortunately I don't have much to add. I would have hoped that Google would have thrown up a better image

The only thing I have to add is the map is not just one piece, the map has been mounted on a thicker piece, perhaps parchment, Thus causing the creases when rolled up

 

[IBoba IFettish]

Thanks for the comment!

I think you’re right—it doesn’t seem to be paper. I initially thought the outer layer might be some kind of hide because, in shots where it’s rolled up, it has a subtle shine, like leather with one glossy side and one flat. But now that you mention it, it could be oiled canvas with a thinner fabric stitched or glued to the inside. There’s definitely a leather string tying it up. Beyond about 100 Google searches, I’m stumped on where else to look for research or reference images.

I could create a vector graphic, have it screen-printed, and then weather it to get the look right.