Framed Paper County Map
These framed paper county map pieces offer a window into historic cartography, prized by collectors for their intricate county boundaries and period engraving.
Framed Paper County Map
A framed paper county map represents a traditional piece of cartographic wall art depicting specific regions, shires, and counties of Britain. Buyers searching for a framed paper county map encounter works originating from the seventeenth century through to the nineteenth century, encompassing Georgian, Victorian, and Jacobean periods. These items present regional geography through antique atlas engravings and Dutch or English cartography.
The most common examples on this page are seventeenth-century and eighteenth-century copperplate engravings produced by notable cartographers and published in historic atlases. Many survive framed behind glass in wood or gilt wood surrounds, preserving the delicate paper sheets. They range from depictions of Welsh counties and English shires to detailed regional surveys by masters of the craft.
How They Were Made
Framing materials commonly include oak and gilt wood, which complement the aged paper documents. The combination of durable ink, quality paper, and protective glass allows these fragile cartographic artefacts to survive across centuries.
Listings feature works spanning the 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century, utilising paper, glass, wood, ink, watercolour, gold leaf, oak, and gilt wood.
What Varies in Quality
Quality rests significantly upon the clarity and crispness of the original copperplate impression upon the paper. Finer impressions display sharp lettering, distinct boundary lines, and precise topographical details without blurring or fading.
The vibrancy and preservation of contemporary hand-coloured watercolour wash also distinguish finer examples from standard printings. Furthermore, the presence of original framing materials, such as period oak or gilt wood mouldings, elevates the historical integrity of the piece.
Blaeu·John Speed·Robert Morden·Joan Blaeu·Janssonius·Eman Bowen·Christopher Saxton·William Hole·John Cary·J Harrison·J. Duncan·C. Smith
The Framed Paper County Map Glossary
- Cartography
- The science or practice of drawing maps. This encompasses the historical design and publication of regional layouts found on these sheets.
- Atlas Novus
- A major seventeenth-century multi-volume atlas publication. Joan Blaeu produced these comprehensive cartographic works in Amsterdam.
- Copperplate engraving
- A intaglio printmaking technique where an artist incises lines into a copper sheet. Ink is applied to the plate and transferred under pressure to paper.
- Hand-coloured
- The process of applying watercolour by hand to a printed monochrome engraving. This technique enhanced the visual distinction of boundaries and cartouches.
- Cartouche
- An ornamental frame or tablet enclosing the map title, scale, or publisher details. Cartographers often decorated these with heraldry and allegorical figures.
Framed Paper County Map: Frequently Asked Questions
How are these maps dated?
Makers usually embedded publication dates within the decorative title cartouche or margin text of the engraving. Scholars also date them by referencing the active publishing periods of cartographers like Robert Morden or John Speed.
Additional clues come from the paper type, watermark evidence, and historical changes to county boundaries noted on the sheet itself.
Where should I hang one?
These framed pieces suit studies, libraries, and hallways where direct sunlight remains minimal to protect the aged paper and ink. Pairing them with traditional wooden furniture complements the period oak and gilt frames.
Ensure the wall space allows the framed map to hang securely away from moisture sources like kitchens or bathrooms.
Are the colours original?
Many seventeenth-century and eighteenth-century examples feature contemporary hand-applied watercolour washes added shortly after printing. Artisans coloured boundaries and decorative cartouches to enhance the visual appeal for atlas buyers.
Distinguishing original period pigment from later enhancement requires examining how the watercolour interacts with the aged paper fibres.
What is an atlas engraving?
Atlas engravings are printed maps originally bound within large geographical volumes before being separated and framed for display. Publishers like John Speed and Joan Blaeu compiled these maps for comprehensive geographical reference books.
As a result, many sheets retain centerfolds or binding marks along their margins from their time inside a bound volume.