World, Mercator's projection, the commanding world sheet from Rand McNally’s Indexed Atlas of the World (1897), distills the firm’s late-19th-century mastery into a single, authoritative view. Its title is proudly set within a refined cartouche at the crown, anchoring a composition that marries scientific rigor with polished aesthetics. The choice of Mercator’s system is purposeful: coastlines and oceanic pathways read crisply, while directional arrows trace the great currents that knit the continents together. Across the graticule, a banded scheme of time zones reflects the Greenwich-centered global order of the era, and finely differentiated political tints articulate a planet balanced between geography and geopolitics.

Somewhat unusually, North and South America are at the centre of this map, creating a slightly different view of the world than you might be used to seeing.

Technically and visually, the map exemplifies what made Rand McNally preeminent at the century’s turn. The Mercator projection presents loxodromes as straight paths, making the seas legible to navigators and planners, even as polar lands expand under its mathematical logic—a didactic reminder of projection’s trade-offs. Longitude is asserted with exacting regularity, aligning the time-zone grid with the post-1884 global standard. Upon this framework, the firm layers currents that thread the Atlantic and Pacific gyres, the labels of the great oceans and seas, and a disciplined typographic hierarchy that keeps continents, countries, and cities distinct without sacrificing density.

Relief is rendered with classic hachures, imparting a tactile sense of altitude that invites the eye to traverse the world’s spines and basins. The Himalaya surge across Asia; the Andes cleave South America; the Rockies stride through North America; the Alps knot central Europe—each range is legible as much through line as through light and shadow. Political boundaries are crisply delineated: a partitioned Africa mirrors the outcomes of the Scramble; British India spans the subcontinent; the Russian Empire stretches across Eurasia; the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman realms stand as late-imperial fixtures; in the Americas, national borders are cleanly settled and thickly named. Seas and straits—from the Mediterranean to the Bering—are meticulously captioned.

Issued at the pinnacle of Rand McNally’s atlas production, this sheet harmonizes with the firm’s 1896 style and the 1897 Standard Atlas of the World, participating in a coordinated visual language across series. The Indexed Atlas—divided into volumes on foreign countries and the United States—codified a world newly synchronized by rail timetables, telegraph cables, and standardized hours. This world map makes those systems legible: time zones become geography; oceans become routes; political color becomes a ledger of power. Underlying it all are the period’s advances in cartographic compilation and print workflow, which enabled unprecedented clarity, consistency, and reach.

The result is a late-Victorian synthesis—scholarship, design, and modernity in poised equilibrium. The palette differentiates continents without shouting; the engraved lines of coast and river are firm yet elegant; the cartouche’s typography signals confidence without ornament for ornament’s sake. As a record of 1897, it captures a world at high noon: European empires expansive, transoceanic commerce accelerating, borders on the cusp of 20th-century redefinition. As an object of study, it rewards close reading—of currents and corridors, of mountains and margins, of names thick in Europe and the Americas where data density was greatest. It is both an atlas key and a conversation with history.

Countries and regions on this map

• All continents are represented: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, Antarctica, and Australia.
• Major seas and oceans surrounding the continents.
• Notable mountain ranges depicted through elevation shading.
• Individual countries clearly labeled, with specific emphasis on those in Europe and the Americas.

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Hachured relief to represent elevation and terrain.
• Detailed outlines of countries and continents with distinct coloring.
• Time zones marked across the globe.
• Directional lines showing ocean currents.
• A cartouche at the top with the title and publication details.
• Various geographical labels for countries, cities, and bodies of water.

Historical and design context

• This map is part of Rand McNally's indexed atlas of the world, produced in 1897.
• It features the Mercator projection, known for accurate representation of ocean currents and continental shapes.
• Represents a significant milestone in 19th-century cartography, reflecting Rand McNally's peak in atlas production.
• Similar in style to the 1896 edition and aligned with the 1897 Standard Atlas of the World.
• The atlas has two volumes focusing on foreign countries and the United States, illustrating geographical knowledge of that time.
• Rendered in full printed color for better visual appeal.
• Bound in green cloth for durability, with gilt stamping on covers.
• This atlas represents technological advancements in 19th-century map-making, providing insights into global geography.

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 every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 16in (40cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) 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 collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

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.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

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 and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) 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).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

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, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

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 and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my 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 order for any reason, contact me and I'll get it fixed ASAP, free of charge. Please see my returns and refund policy for more information.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 5,000 real 5-star reviews. My work has been featured in interior design magazines, on the BBC, and on the walls of dozens of 5-star hotels.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest. I stand by my products and will always make sure you're 100% happy with what you receive.

Almost all of my maps and art prints 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.