Rare Old Map of Georgia and Alabama by H. S. Tanner, 1820: Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, Columbus (GA), and Montgomery

Experience history come alive with this exquisite reproduction of H. S. Tanner's 1820 map of Georgia and Alabama. The map provides a vivid window into the Southern United States' early 19th-century development, displaying both the grandeur of its natural features and the burgeoning communities that would eventually become important urban centers. This remarkable map is a testament to Tanner's cartographic artistry and an invaluable piece of historical documentation.

With this map, you're not just purchasing a product; you're acquiring a tangible piece of Southern history. It's a visual narrative of early settlements and their development, an authentic layout of historical boundaries, and a detailed record of natural landscapes that have transformed into modern-day tourist attractions. From the red clay hills of Georgia to the verdant valleys of Alabama, this map offers a unique perspective on the region that will inspire fascination and conversation.

List of Settlements:

Georgia:

  
• Savannah (1733) - Founded by James Oglethorpe, it was the first British colonial capital of the Province of Georgia. Today, it is renowned for its well-preserved historic district and beautiful parks.
  
• Augusta (1736) - A crucial site during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, it is home to the historic Augusta Canal.
  
• Atlanta (1810) - Initially a railroad junction and now the capital of Georgia, it was nearly entirely burned during Sherman's March to the Sea in the Civil War.
  
• Milledgeville (1803) - Known as Georgia's Antebellum capital, it was the political and cultural epicenter of Georgia from 1804 to 1868.
  
• Athens (1801) - Founded to host the University of Georgia, it is renowned for its distinctive antebellum architecture.
  
• Macon (1823) - Home to ancient Native American settlements, it is known for its rich music history and heritage.
  
• Columbus (1828) - Located on the Chattahoochee River, it played a pivotal role in the cotton trade during the 19th century.

Alabama:

  
• Mobile (1702) - Originally a French colonial settlement, it's Alabama's oldest city and a historic center for French, Spanish, British, Creole, Catholic, Greek, and African influences.
  
• Montgomery (1819) - Now the state capital, it played a significant role in the Confederacy and the Civil Rights Movement.
  
• Huntsville (1805) - Known as the "Rocket City" due to its connection with U.S. space missions, it has a rich Southern heritage.
  
• Tuscumbia (1820) - Birthplace of Helen Keller and home to the annual Helen Keller Festival.
  
• Tuscaloosa (1819) - Named after a Choctaw chieftain, it became the state capital in 1826 and is now home to the University of Alabama.
  
• Auburn (1832) - Known for its strong agricultural roots, it is now known for Auburn University and its rich football history.

Notable features include:

  
• Chattahoochee River - A crucial waterway in the map, it serves as a significant boundary and is now a modern recreational waterway.
  
• Appalachian Mountains - The map depicts the southernmost part of this range, including important landmarks like Springer Mountain, the start of the Appalachian Trail.
  
• Savannah River - A key river on the map, it served as a significant trade route and is now a tourist attraction.
  
• Creek Indian Territory - Highlighted in Alabama, this area represents the significant indigenous presence in the region before the Indian Removal Act of 1830.

Historical events between 1815 and 1820 include:

  
• First Seminole War (1817-1818) - This conflict involved Creek Indians and began in Georgia, spreading to Spanish Florida.
  
• The establishment of Alabama as a state in 1819 - Prior to this, Alabama was a part of the Mississippi Territory.

This "Old Map of Georgia and Alabama" is an extraordinary representation of Tanner's precision and craftsmanship, providing a deeply contextualized view of a pivotal time in Southern history. It's an excellent purchase for history enthusiasts, map collectors, and Southern culture aficionados alike.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at all sizes: 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 24x36in (61x91.5cm), 30x40in (76x101.5cm), 37x50in (94x127cm), 45x60in (114x152.5cm) and 52x70in (132x178cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 100in (254cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45.5x61cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my main collection of USA and North America maps.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

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 print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. 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 can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

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, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, 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/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

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 4,000 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.