The development of digital technologies in the world influences developing national cartography and especially such segment as commercial cartography greatly. Maps and atlases have taken on a new form and the economic and financial aspects have changed at the same time. If some time ago publishers of Cards earned on circulation,nowadays it is possible to use marketing and advertising technologies to recoup expenses for creation of cartographic production. In order tounderstand in which direction to move it is necessary to study the past properly. The author attempts to study the development of commercial cartography in the period of NEP (new economic policy) of the Soviet Government in 1920s to define the connection between the development of cartography and changes in social and economic conditions. We study the period when there was a need to use a geographic map as an advertising bearer, and consider in detail the cartographic works in which commercial advertising was used. The review and analysis of the issues related to the emergence of the basic advertising rules in maps and atlases as well as the relationship between the subject of cartographic works and the content of advertising modules. The application of social advertising in the early 20th century and versions of advertising texts and modules in maps and atlases are shown.