Make your custom map
Examples of custom maps
Custom Map of London by Edward Stanford, 1862 - Design & Make Your Own Old Map
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Handmade in the USA
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Your map will be handmade in the US
The Unique Maps Co. has state of the art production facilities in North Carolina and Michigan, and specialist large format facilities in New Jersey and California. Your map will be printed, framed and personalised in the US.
Making and dispatching maps locally keeps delivery times down (usually 2-3 days) and means your map should always arrive in perfect condition.
I also have production hubs in 17 countries around the world, which means you can buy this map as a gift for someone and I will make and deliver the map locally. They won't have to pay any tax or import duty.
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Free delivery
in 2-3 days
Delivery in 2-3 days
Your map should be delivered in 2-3 working days with free delivery.
Express delivery is available at checkout which can reduce this to 1-2 days.
If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, contact me and we can discuss your options.
Please note that personalised maps, and some larger framed maps can take longer to produce and deliver.
- 5 stars 'Excellent' rating on Trustpilot
- Certified sustainable frames & packaging
Custom map sizes are available
At The Unique Maps Co., every order is processed and made by hand. There is no mass production and every map is custom made to order.
This means that I can tailor your map so that it perfectly fits a space on your wall, or a frame that you already own.
To order a custom sized map, select the size closest to what you need, and then select 'customise the size?' from the options below.
Custom sizing is free for large maps over 100cm or 40 inches, but for smaller maps there will be an additional small fee.
Or try searching for something!
Behold! You can finally make your own custom map of London by Edward Stanford.
Simply drag and zoom the map, and when you're happy with it add the map to your basket. You can use the magnifying glass to search for a specific street, postcode or landmark.
I will then create the exact same map and send it to you. The finished map will look just like a real Stanford map of London with the frame, title and legend in place. See the 'example images' - this is exactly what your map will look like.
The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.
Please make sure you select whether you want the map to be landscape (wider), portrait (taller) or square (square).
I will send you a draft image of your map before I print it. You can also leave a note on your shopping basket if you want to make doubly sure that I've got the right area on the map.
If you want your map further personalised with a message inscribed on the map, please select the 'personalisation' option. If you want a different kind of personalisation (like marking your house with a certain colour) please get in touch.
These custom-made maps are perfect as housewarming gifts, or for your own office or living room wall if you live in London.
You can order the map itself, or you can order a framed version. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that really makes my maps pop out when on the wall. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame. I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) - it's less reflective than glass and better for transport.
For a limited time these custom maps are the same price as my other maps - once I've done a few, the price will go up.
About the map
Edward Stanford's Library Map of London is widely considered to be the greatest map of London ever made. Compiled in the 1850s and 60s, it shows the heart of the British Empire at the peak of Victorian Britain.
An almost perfect version of this map has been sourced and lovingly restored by the Unique Maps Co. This is the best version of this map that you can buy anywhere.
Originally printed in 24 sheets, this is the most detailed old London map you can find. Almost every single dwelling in London is drawn on this map - and considering there were around 3 million people living in London in the 1860s, that's a lot of dwellings.
By the 1860s, almost all of London's famous landmarks already exist. The parks, the palaces, the museums, St Paul's, the royal parks - they're all here. Perhaps the main one that hasn't been built yet is the Royal Albert Hall which would be opened about 10 years later.
If you are looking for super large versions of this map (I can print and frame it up to 10 meters/33ft wide), please see this product instead. I can also make some lovely wallpaper with this map.
My large maps are perfect for hotels, pubs, bars and offices - but if you have a large space at home, then they would look amazing there as well!
Please get in touch with me before you order so that we can discuss what you're looking for and make sure that the map you buy will look perfect.
My standard frame is a black wood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. On maps up to 36 inches (91cm) the frame is 2cm (0.75in) wide. I use thicker frames on larger maps - usually between 35 and 60mm (1.4in to 2.4in).
In all cases I use super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.
All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions... always get in touch!
If you want a different frame colour or material, click "customise your frame" before adding it to your basket. Learn more about my custom framing and mounting/matting.
Alternatively, I can also supply old map on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.
If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.
For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised orders take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.
As Christmas draws closer, please take a look at my Christmas delivery deadlines. Deliveries will slow down as we get closer to Christmas.
Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.
If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.
I have production facilities all around the world where I print and frame maps. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.
All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.
I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.
If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).
We are able to next-day delivery in some cases if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.
My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.
I source original, extremely rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.
My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/190gsm. It's perfect for framing.
I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.
Please contact me if you're looking for a print on canvas or cotton rag.
Learn more about how the Unique Maps Co. sources and restores old maps
Map personalisation
If you want to make your old map really unique, I am able to personalise your map with a short message, for example:
- "Happy birthday, Ben! From Mum & Dad"
- "To My Beloved. Let's Explore The World Together!"
This message will be added to the map in such a way that it looks just like a real part of the map.
Select the "Personalise Map" option above if you'd like to add map personalisation to your map.
Learn more about my map personalisation service.
Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.
If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.
I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 1,500 real 5-star reviews.
I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.
Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.
