Colour Printed Paper Map
A colour printed paper map brings centuries of cartography into a room, offering a detailed view of landscapes drawn by early mapmakers.
Colour Printed Paper Map
A colour printed paper map is a wall art piece or framed map that records counties, countries, and regions across several eras of cartography. Buyers searching for a colour printed paper map encounter framed maps originating from the seventeenth century, the Georgian period, and the nineteenth century. These pieces depict locations ranging from local English counties to global continents, presented as atlas engravings or wall charts.
The material composition relies primarily on paper, ink, and watercolour, often mounted within wooden frames behind glass with occasional gold leaf accents. Many examples originate from notable cartographic works, including Dutch atlases and English county surveys. The selection spans centuries of printing traditions, showing how mapmakers rendered geographical borders and topography.
Materials and production
Makers printed these works onto laid or woven paper using engraved metal plates, applying ink to transfer the lines of the cartography. Artisans then added colour by hand using watercolour washes to delineate regional boundaries, county divisions, and decorative cartouches.
Finished sheets were secured in wooden frames, sometimes using oak, and glazed with glass to protect the delicate paper surface from atmospheric moisture and handling.
Several maps depict counties with decorative sea monsters swimming through domestic estuaries.
Factors of quality
Quality rests upon the crispness of the plate impression and the precision of the hand-applied watercolour. Early impressions taken while the engraved copper or steel plate remained sharp show finer line work than later strikes.
The preservation of the paper sheet and the vibrancy of the original ink and pigment dictate the visual strength of the piece. Clean margins, clear typographical lettering, and minimal ageing define the higher tier of surviving examples.
John Speed·Robert Morden·Joan Blaeu·Emanuel Bowen·John Cary
The Colour Printed Paper Map Glossary
- Cartography
- The study and practice of making maps. It encompasses the surveying, drawing, and printing techniques used by historical mapmakers.
- Atlas
- A bound collection of maps, which were often disbound over the centuries so individual plates could be framed as wall art.
- Cartouche
- A decorative frame or medallion on a map enclosing the title, scale, or publisher details. These often feature heraldic or allegorical elements.
- Plate mark
- The indentation left on paper by the edge of an engraved metal plate under printing pressure. Its presence confirms traditional intaglio printing methods.
Colour Printed Paper Map: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I hang a framed map safely?
Mount the framed map on a wall away from direct sunlight to prevent the paper and watercolour pigments from fading over time.
Ensure the hanging wire and wall fixings match the weight of the wood and glass frame to secure the piece properly.
Are these maps original period printings?
The listings comprise original engravings and prints produced in the centuries stated, rather than modern reproductions.
Each piece originates from the period indicated by the cartographic style, paper type, and printing technique.
How should I clean the glass?
Apply glass cleaner to a cloth rather than directly onto the frame to prevent liquid from seeping beneath the glass and damaging the paper.
Wipe the surface gently while supporting the frame to avoid putting pressure on the antique map inside.
Why do some maps have fold lines?
Many early maps were originally published to be folded and bound inside atlases or books rather than displayed on walls.
These creases remain as physical evidence of the piece's history before it was mounted and framed for display.