Created in 1960 by historian and bibliophile Ralph G. Newman, the 1861–1865 Civil War Centennial map is a richly detailed commemoration of America’s defining conflict. An ornate central cartouche sets a ceremonial tone, while ribbons and banners frame a densely informative field of pictorial vignettes. Across the United States—especially the Eastern and Southern theaters—illustrative markers pinpoint battlefields, naval engagements, and landmarks that shaped the course of the war. A chronological timeline marches along the margins, anchoring each image in time and helping viewers follow the cascade of events from 1861 to 1865. Portraits of prominent figures, paired with scenes of soldiers and equipment, weave biography, strategy, and memory into a single, cohesive visual narrative.

The Eastern Theater receives special emphasis, underscored by a dedicated inset of Virginia, the war’s principal battleground. Here the map highlights the fevered tempo of operations around Richmond and the early clashes at Bull Run, while the Maryland border is marked by Antietam, the single bloodiest day of the war and a pivotal moment that facilitated the Emancipation Proclamation. Gettysburg appears as the turning point of 1863, with Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg illustrating the tactical brilliance and steep costs of maneuver warfare. The depiction of Petersburg evokes the grinding trench campaigns that foreshadowed modern warfare, and at Appomattox the visual narrative resolves with Lee’s surrender, signaling the conflict’s close and the Union’s preservation.

In the Western and Gulf Theaters, the map traces the Union’s decisive strategy to split the Confederacy along the Mississippi. Vicksburg’s siege sits opposite Memphis and New Orleans, underscoring the river’s transformation from Confederate lifeline to Union highway. Shiloh’s early carnage hints at the brutal learning curve of volunteer armies, while Nashville signals the collapse of Confederate strength in Tennessee. Atlanta’s capture punctuates Sherman’s relentless operational reach, marking the destruction of strategic infrastructure and the war’s shift toward total mobilization. The placement of ships, artillery, and supply trains around these scenes captures the logistical genius that underwrote battlefield success and ultimately reshaped the South’s economic geography.

The coastal and borderlands are rendered with equal nuance. Charleston and nearby Fort Sumter stand at the war’s opening, their harbor guns announcing the conflict that would engulf the nation. Mobile anchors the Gulf Coast campaigns, where naval power and mine-choked bays dramatized the war at sea. Richmond, the Confederate capital, is presented as both prize and crucible, while Maryland’s contested status as a border state is underscored by its proximity to Washington and key engagements. Farther west, Missouri and Kansas City call attention to irregular warfare, fractured loyalties, and the hard edges of civil conflict beyond the main armies—an often-overlooked dimension that this map elegantly integrates.

Portraits of leaders—Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, William T. Sherman, and others—survey the panorama, their images paired with captions that align personalities with campaigns. The timeline threads milestones such as Fort Sumter, Antietam, Gettysburg, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the Confederate surrender at Appomattox, situating military events within political transformation. This mid-century design marries scholarship with pageantry, reflecting how the centennial era sought to reconcile memory with history. More than a tally of battles, it illuminates the war’s lasting impact on American society, politics, and culture—an evocative synthesis that invites sustained study as much as admiration.

Places on this map

• Fort Sumter
• Bull Run
• Gettysburg
• Antietam
• Chancellorsville
• Vicksburg
• Appomattox
• Fredericksburg
• Petersburg
• Atlanta
• Nashville
• Shiloh
• New Orleans
• Richmond
• Kansas City
• Charleston
• Mobile
• Memphis
• Maryland (notably as a border state)
• Missouri

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Pictorial representations of key battles and military engagements.
• Portraits of prominent figures from the Civil War.
• Design elements such as ornate banners and a central cartouche with the map title.
• A chronological timeline listing significant events from 1861 to 1865.
• Illustrative markers indicating battle locations across the map.
• A small inset map showcasing Virginia with notable locations.
• Depictions of soldiers, military equipment, and historical landmarks.

Historical and design context

• Created by: Ralph G. Newman
• Date of Creation: 1960
• Context of the Centennial: Commemorates the 100th anniversary of the American Civil War, a significant period in U.S. history marked by conflict and social upheaval. The centennial reflection aimed to capture key battles, events, and figures that shaped this era.
• Relevance: It serves as a critical reference for understanding the impact of the Civil War on American society, politics, and culture.
• Themes: Thematic and pictorial focus on battles, important dates, and influential figures from the Civil War period.
• Regions Featured: Primarily the United States, especially the Eastern and Southern states where significant battles took place.
• Design and Style: Historically informative with illustrations, a chronological timeline, and pictorial representations of key events and figures. It displays an ornate cartographic style typical of mid-20th century thematic maps.
• Historical Significance: Highlights the collective memory of the Civil War and illustrates its lasting effects on American society, creating an engaging visual narrative of the era.

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 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 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.

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.

Alcune delle mie vecchie mappe sono ora disponibili come tele incorniciate. Per favore contattami se desideri ordinare una dimensione che non è disponibile nel mio negozio.

Le vecchie mappe su tela sono un'alternativa interessante alle mappe incorniciate in modo convenzionale. A seconda del tuo gusto personale e dell'arredamento della stanza, le mappe su tela possono "risaltare" un po' di più rispetto a una mappa incorniciata.

Scopri di più sulle mie mappe su tela incorniciate.

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.

Se non sei soddisfatto del tuo ordine per qualsiasi motivo, contattami per un rimborso senza problemi. Si prega di consultare la nostra politica di reso e rimborso per ulteriori informazioni.

Sono molto sicuro che ti piacerà la tua mappa restaurata o la stampa d'arte. Lo faccio dal 1984. Sono un venditore Etsy a 5 stelle. Ho venduto decine di migliaia di mappe e stampe d'arte e ho oltre 5.000 recensioni reali a 5 stelle.

Utilizzo un processo unico per restaurare mappe e opere d'arte che richiede molto tempo e lavoro. Trovare le mappe e le illustrazioni originali può richiedere mesi. Utilizzo tecnologia all'avanguardia e incredibilmente costosa per scannerizzare e restaurarle. Di conseguenza, garantisco che le mie mappe e stampe d'arte siano superiori alle altre - ecco perché posso offrire un rimborso senza problemi.

Quasi tutte le mie mappe e stampe d'arte sembrano fantastiche a grandi dimensioni (200 cm, 6,5 piedi+) e posso anche incorniciarle e consegnarle a te, tramite un corriere speciale per oggetti di grandi dimensioni. Contattami per discutere delle tue esigenze specifiche.