Rare Old Lord of the Rings World Map by Ray&Co, 2022: Large Fantasy Middle Earth Chart, Modern Countries & Cities

Step into a world where modern geography meets the enchanting allure of Middle Earth with the "Lord of the Rings World Map" by the esteemed cartographers at Ray&Co. This exquisite map, crafted in 2022, offers a captivating blend of up-to-date political and geographical details presented in the style reminiscent of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary maps. Each country and capital city is meticulously labelled, providing a comprehensive and accurate representation of our world, while the artistic design transports you to the fantastical realms of hobbits, elves, and epic quests.

Ray&Co, renowned for their ability to merge historical and fantasy elements into their cartographic creations, have outdone themselves with this piece. The mapmaker's dedication to detail is evident in the intricate depictions of mountains, rivers, islands, and lakes. Special attention is given to the forests, which are rendered with a lush, verdant texture that mirrors the iconic landscapes of Tolkien’s Middle Earth. This map is not just a tool for navigation but a work of art that invites endless exploration and admiration.

The design of the "Lord of the Rings World Map" is a testament to the timeless appeal of fantasy cartography. The map features a beautifully aged, creased texture that evokes the feel of an ancient parchment, as if it were a relic from a bygone era. The oceans are adorned with whimsical illustrations of ships and sea monsters, adding a touch of adventure and mystery to the vast expanses of water. A decorative compass rose in the Southern Ocean serves as both a functional element and a nod to the rich tradition of maritime exploration.

This map is a treasure trove of geographical and artistic wonders. The major mountain ranges, such as the Rocky Mountains, Andes, Alps, Himalayas, and Ural Mountains, are depicted with stunning detail, inviting viewers to trace their rugged contours. The bodies of water, including the Arctic, North Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific, Indian, and Southern Oceans, are elegantly labelled, enhancing the map's educational value. The presence of mythical creatures and dragons adds a layer of enchantment, making this map a perfect fusion of reality and fantasy.

The "Lord of the Rings World Map" is more than just a geographical representation; it is a journey through time and imagination. It captures the essence of exploration and discovery, offering a unique perspective on our world through the lens of fantasy. Whether you are a lover of Tolkien’s works, a cartography enthusiast, or someone who appreciates fine art, this map is a captivating addition to any collection. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of maps to inspire wonder and curiosity, bridging the gap between the known world and the realms of imagination.

Countries and regions on this map

• Continents:
• North America
• South America
• Europe
• Africa
• Asia
• Australia
• Antarctica
• Countries:
• The map includes all modern countries, each labelled with their names and capitals.

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Inset maps or additional illustrations:
• Numerous illustrations of ships, sea monsters, and mythical creatures throughout the map.
• Bodies of water:
• Arctic Ocean
• North Atlantic Ocean
• South Atlantic Ocean
• North Pacific Ocean
• South Pacific Ocean
• Indian Ocean
• Southern Ocean
• Mountain ranges:
• Rocky Mountains
• Andes
• Alps
• Himalayas
• Ural Mountains
• Sea, road, and rail routes:
• Various sea routes are illustrated with ships and sea monsters.
• Other interesting features:
• Decorative compass rose in the Southern Ocean.
• Artistic depictions of dragons and other mythical creatures.
• Creased paper texture that gives the map an antique feel.

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Lord of the Rings World Map
• Extra notes:
• This is a beautiful, large-format “Lord of the Rings” style world map.
• It shows up-to-date political and geographical details but has the appearance of a map of Middle Earth as published in a Lord of the Rings or Hobbit book.
• The map is an original creation by the designer Ray&Co.
• Every country and capital city is labelled, as are most geographical features like mountains, rivers, islands, lakes, etc.
• A lot of attention is paid to the forests, which look very much like an original Lord of the Rings map.
• There is a fantastic ‘creased’ texture to the paper, which is most evident in the oceans.
• Date of creation: 2022
• Mapmaker or publisher: Ray&Co
• Ray&Co is known for creating detailed and artistic maps, often with a fantasy or historical theme.
• Topics and themes:
• The map blends modern political and geographical details with the fantasy style of the Lord of the Rings universe.
• Themes include political boundaries, geographical features, and artistic elements reminiscent of Middle Earth.
• Design or style context:
• The map is designed to look like a historical or fantasy map, with artistic elements such as intricate borders, detailed forests, and a creased paper texture.
• The style is heavily influenced by the maps found in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit books.
• Historical significance or context:
• While the map itself is a modern creation, it draws heavily on the artistic and thematic elements of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth maps, blending them with contemporary world 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 100in (250cm). 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 20in (50cm) 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 24x36in (60x90cm) 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.

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.