The Unique Maps Co. specialises in rare, customised and beautiful old maps
Established in 1984, The Unique Map Co. is a purveyor of the finest and rarest old maps.
"OldMapsShop" is my relatively new presence here on Etsy, but rest assured that The Unique Maps Co.'s provenance goes back more than three decades.
The 'unique map' process begins with sourcing the original antique maps - some as old as 450 years old. I scour libraries, private collections and antique map shops to find the most interesting and beautiful old maps to sell to my discerning customers.
Sometimes it takes me months to track down the best, rarest and highest quality original maps. Sometimes I will be the first person to scan an antique map that hasn't been seen since the map was first published 200, 300 or even 400 years ago. Those maps are truly unique.
Many of the oldest maps are exceedingly rare. Handcoloured maps were expensive and were only affordable to nobles - and so sometimes there are only a few dozen copies of a map in existence.
I restore the maps at my specialist workshop in London, taking care to remove some of the dirt, grime and rips but leaving all of the original charm. Then I scan the maps in at very high resolution - thousands of dots per inch - so that you can be guaranteed that all of the names, places and original features of your vintage map will be perfectly preserved.
With the digital process I can then create different sizes of map, or customise maps to suit your needs. I can zoom in on a few streets, or colour your house so it sticks out on an old map. I can even blow maps up to meters wide. I have framed maps over 13 feet wide, created grids of framed maps, and even wallpapered some office walls with big maps.
My Unique Maps look beautiful and interesting on your wall, and make great birthday, housewarming or Christmas gifts too.
My framed large maps look great in hospitality spaces, such as pubs, bars, restaurants, offices and hotels.
Buy one of our maps and explore what the world used to look like 100, 200, 300, or sometimes even 400 years ago.
I have more maps and products, and more information about framing and customisation, on my online shop: https://uniquemaps.co.uk
