*** Handmade and dispatched locally! ***
I print, frame and make old maps all around the world. I will make your map locally and deliver locally with your normal post or courier service. This means your map will usually arrive in 2-3 working days and ensures your map gets to you in perfect condition. (Plus, it reduces CO2 emissions by not flying old maps half way around the world!)
*** Map personalisation ***
This map can be personalised to make it truly unique. I will add a short message to the map that perfectly blends in. This is perfect for anniversaries, housewarmings, leaving gifts, and more. Please add this product to your basket before you checkout: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1257156692/map-personalisation-add-on-item-please.
Get in touch if you want to discuss an unusual or complex personalisation. have personalised thousands of maps over the years - I can almost certainly help you.
*** Intro ***
Established in 1984, the Unique Maps Co. sources the world's finest and rarest old maps from libraries and private collections around the world. I restore the maps in my workshop and then reproduce, customise and frame them to suit my customers' needs. I guarantee that you cannot find higher quality maps anywhere else.
*** About this map ***
This is an exceedingly rare, full colour map of the world from 1651 by one of the founding fathers of cartography, John Speed. Amongst collectors, the original version of this map is one of the rarest and most valuable old world maps.
You can choose to personalise this map with a short message that will be printed at the bottom of the map (please see the third listing image for an example).
This map is virtually identical to this other world map by John Speed, but the colours are bolder and more contrasty, which may suit your colour palette better:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/933970289/old-world-map-1626-by-john-speed-colour
I also have this map in its original copperplate monochrome form:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1011250437/old-world-atlas-map-from-1651-by-john
Back in 1651, our understanding of the world wasn't quite what it is today. California is an island! And there's no Antarctica or Australia - just the 'Southern Unknown Land'.
Take a closer look at North America and there are some very early settlements on there - including some that have been completely fabricated by the mapmaker! And why does North America swing off wildly to the west in the top corner?
This map looks amazing at all sizes, from 12x16 inches (30x40cm) to 16x20 inches (40x50cm), 18x24 inches (45x60cm) and beyond to 24x36 inches (60x90cm). I can print it and frame it at sizes up to 52x70 inches (130x180cm). It looks truly beautiful at that larger size, as you can imagine.
The model in the listing images is holding the 24x18 inch (60x45cm) version of this map.
This world map would make a perfect gift for someone who loves to travel or explore, or it would look great as wall art on your own walls! It's a beautiful piece of wall art that would make a good housewarming gift.
You can order the map itself, or you can order a framed version. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that really makes our maps pop out when on a wall. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame. I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) in my frames - it's less reflective than glass and better for transport.
My museum-quality maps are printed on acid free archival paper with Epson ultrachrome giclée inks.
*** CANVAS MAP INFO ***
Some of my maps are available as canvas prints. These are 'box canvases' - the map is printed on canvas, and then stretched over a wooden frame. They come with brackets on the back and are 'ready to hang'.
My maps look fantastic when printed on canvas, but please note that canvas reduces the sharpness of my maps. So, for example, a small label might be legible on paper, but too small to read on a canvas map.
Generally, most of my maps should be fully legible at 24x36 inches (60x90cm). But please get in touch if you want me to check if a specific label will be legible.