Map titles are an excellent place to set the mood of the map, and then carry it through with labeling and color choices. The ornate title blocks, or cartouches, of the Sanborn Map Company, were an important part of their branding. The maps themselves conveyed the accuracy and reliability of the data with crisp linework and draftsman's labeling. By contrast, the cartouches were highly elaborate, calling to mind detailed copper engravings and official documents, creating a recognizable product.
Perhaps a more ubiquitous example of typography and mood on maps can be found between the pages of National Geographic magazine. These detailed maps are often accompanied by blocks of text or rich illustrations, and are easily recognizable as National Geographic products even before you spot that Telltale yellow rectangle. There's a reason for this—their team of cartographers works from a detailed, pages-long style manual that specifies font styles for every type and size of feature...