Vintage County Map
When you search for a vintage county map, you are looking at centuries of British cartography framed for the wall.
Vintage County Map
A vintage county map records the shires, towns and borders of Britain, produced from the seventeenth century through to the Victorian era. These pieces appear most frequently as framed atlas engravings, wall art and coaching maps created by notable cartographers.
The selection ranges from early seventeenth-century Dutch plates by Blaeu and Janssonius to eighteenth-century English works by Robert Morden and Emanuel Bowen. Later examples extend into the nineteenth century with maps by John Cary and M Phillips.
Buyers encounter these works housed in wood, gilt wood and glass frames, often retaining original or later hand-colouring in watercolour and ink. They serve as decorative wall art that documents historical geography.
Materials and techniques
Makers produced these works on paper using copperplate engraving and lithography, applying ink to press detailed lines, text and cartouches. Artisans frequently added hand-colouring in watercolour to highlight county boundaries, towns and heraldic crests.
Workshops housed these paper sheets behind glass within wood and gilt wood frames, sometimes incorporating linen backings to provide structural support for larger atlas plates.
The listings span from the seventeenth century to the Victorian era, utilising paper, ink, watercolour, linen, and gilt wood frames.
Judging quality
Quality rests upon the clarity of the copperplate impression, the precision of the engraving, and the historical importance of the cartographer. Early seventeenth-century impressions by master mapmakers command attention for their intricate cartouches and Latin text.
The preservation of the paper, the vibrancy of any hand-applied watercolour, and the suitability of the period frame contribute to the overall merit of an individual piece.
Blaeu·John Speed·Ogilby·Robert Morden·Joan Blaeu·Janssonius·Thomas Kitchin·William Hole·John Cary·J Harrison·J. Duncan·C. Smith·Eman Bowen·Christopher Saxton·M Phillips
The Vintage County Map Glossary
- Cartography
- The study and practice of making maps. This discipline forms the foundation of all the county pieces listed here.
- Atlas engraving
- A printed map originally bound within a larger book of geography. These sheets were later removed and framed for display.
- Cartouche
- A decorative frame enclosing the map's title, scale or publisher details. Seventeenth-century examples often feature elaborate heraldry and figures.
- Hand-colouring
- The application of watercolour by hand to a printed black and white map. This technique was used to distinguish regional boundaries and decorative elements.
Vintage County Map: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I hang a framed county map?
Position the piece at eye level away from direct sunlight to protect the paper and watercolour pigments from fading over time.
Ensure the wall fixings match the weight of the wood and glass frame to secure the artwork safely.
Are these maps genuine period pieces?
The listings comprise authentic engravings and lithographs originating from the seventeenth century through to the nineteenth century, produced by the cartographers named in the titles.
Examination of the paper stock, plate marks and printing ink helps confirm the era of production.
What is a coaching map?
A coaching map details specific routes, roads and milestones used by stagecoaches in past centuries to navigate between towns and cities across Britain.
These pieces typically show linear strip formats rather than standard regional boundaries.
Why do some maps have text on the back?
Certain seventeenth-century atlas maps feature descriptive text printed on the reverse side in Latin or English, explaining the geography of the shire.
Printers arranged these pages to accompany bound volumes before individual sheets were separated for framing.