18th Century County Map
An 18th century county map is a framed engraved piece of English cartography that brings regional history straight onto the wall.
18th Century County Map
When you search for an 18th century county map, you look at framed cartography that records the shires and regions of England during the Georgian era. These pieces arrive ready to hang as wall art, capturing administrative boundaries and old place names from around 1700 to the late 1700s.
The versions you meet most frequently on this page are copperplate engravings on paper, often showing counties such as Gloucestershire, Cheshire, Devonshire, Somerset, Wiltshire, and Berkshire. They span the styles of 18th century English mapmaking, originating from the early decades up to the late seventeen-eighties.
Framed maps in this group combine historical topography with decorative framing, using wood, glass, and sometimes gold leaf or gilt. Collectors select them to anchor a room with specific local history or to study the changing geography of English shires.
Materials and technique
Many examples are framed in wood, occasionally enhanced with gold leaf or gilt accents, and protected behind glass to preserve the fragile paper from atmospheric damage. The integration of cartographic reference text and decorative cartouches reflects the high standard of Georgian printing craft.
18th Century County Map Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for 18th century county map among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
The listings here feature paper maps from the eighteenth century, incorporating periods such as the Georgian era and the Victorian age.
Distinctions in quality
Quality rests upon the clarity of the engraved lines and the distinctness of the original impression pulled from the copperplate, where sharper details indicate a plate in its earlier states. Impressions that appear blurred or faint suggest worn plates or later restrikes.
The presence of contemporary hand colouring adds visual depth and desirability, provided the pigment remains stable and complements the ink without bleeding into the paper. The quality of the framing materials, such as period wood mouldings and protective glass, also influences the overall presentation.
Robert Morden·Thomas Kitchin·Eman Bowen·Emanuel Bowen·J Harrison
The 18th Century County Map Glossary
- Cartography
- The science or practice of drawing maps. This encompasses the detailed study and graphic representation of geographical areas.
- Copperplate engraving
- A printmaking technique where an artist incises an image onto a copper sheet. Ink is then applied to the plate to produce fine, precise lines on paper.
- Cartouche
- A decorative frame or tablet on a map enclosing the title, scale, or dedication. These are often elaborately illustrated with heraldry or regional emblems.
- Hand colouring
- The application of watercolours by hand to a printed map after production. This technique was used to distinguish boundaries and enhance decorative appeal.
- Georgian
- Pertaining to the period of the British monarchy covering the reigns of the first four Georges. It defines the prevailing aesthetic and architectural styles of the eighteenth century.
18th Century County Map: Frequently Asked Questions
How were these maps originally used?
These maps served as practical references for travel, estate management, and geographical study during the Georgian period. They were bound into atlases or displayed individually in homes and offices to show administrative boundaries.
Over time, many survived by being kept protected or later framed as decorative wall art. Today they function primarily as historical documents and aesthetic pieces for interiors.
How should I care for a framed map?
Keep framed maps away from direct sunlight and damp environments to protect the fragile paper and prevent the ink or watercolour from fading. Stable indoor temperatures prevent the wood frame and paper from warping.
Dust the wood frame gently and avoid using chemical cleaners near the glass. Professional framing techniques help maintain the longevity of these historical paper items.
How do I tell early editions apart?
Early editions often display sharper engraved lines because the copperplate was fresh and un Worn. Examining the paper type, typography, and cartographer credits helps determine the production date.
Reference guides and signatures within the cartouche provide direct evidence of the cartographer and the approximate year of publication.