Birmingham Face Mask / Neck Gaiter with vintage map print of Birmingham in 1730
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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 (4 to 5 days) and means your map should always arrive in perfect condition.
I also have production hubs in 21 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 by Christmas
Free worldwide delivery by Christmas
Your map should be delivered in 4 to 5 working days with free delivery, or 2 to 3 days with express delivery (available at checkout).
If you are ordering a personalised map, it will add 2 to 3 days to the delivery time, and free delivery may not arrive by Christmas if there are any postal delays in your area.
Please note that couriers and postal services are slowing down, and some deliveries are taking longer than expected.
Please see my Christmas delivery deadlines for more info.
If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, contact me and we can discuss your options.
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Premium hardwood frames
Premium hardwood frames
For a limited time, I am trialling premium hardwood frames for framed maps made in the United States.
These frames are either made from a beautiful light oak, or a very solid-feeling ash with a nice grain.
If you'd like an oak frame, select 'pick frame colour' and then 'natural wood'.
If you do not pick a frame colour, you will receive my black ash frame.
In a few weeks, you will have to pay an extra fee for a premium frame.
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Certified sustainable +
we plant trees🌳
Sustainability & Tree Planting
Here at The Unique Maps Co., we have an unusually high affinity for paper. After all, without paper, there can be no maps!
That's why all of our paper, frames and packaging are from FSC certified sources.
But we don't stop there. We've partnered with Treeapp to plant trees around the world.
If you spend $60 or more, we'll plant a tree in your name.
- 5 stars 'Excellent' rating on Trustpilot
What size should I buy?
If you have the space and the budget, I recommend buying a map that is 16x20 inches (40x50cm) or larger. Most maps look better at larger sizes because of the huge amount of detail on them.
When you buy the smallest size (usually 12in or 30cm), the text can be quite small. I recommend contacting me if you want to make sure that a map looks good at a specific size. I will usually respond within a few minutes.
Some maps mention a 'best size'. In this case, the map usually contains labels that are very hard to read at smaller sizes.
To help you pick the right size, here are some of my 'standard' map sizes next to each other, in portrait and landscape orientation.
| 12x16in (30x40cm) | 16x20in (40x50cm) | 18x24in (45x60cm) |
24x36in (60x90cm) |
| 12x16in (30x40cm) | 16x20in (40x50cm) | 18x24in (45x60cm) |
24x36in (60x90cm) |
Buying unframed maps
If you buy an unframed old map from me, and plan to frame it yourself, please read this page for important information about framing your map.
General size guidelines
Generally, the size you see on the shop is exactly accurate.
So, for example, if you buy an 18x24 inch map, you should buy a frame that 'fits artwork' that is 18x24 inches. If you order a 60x90cm map, you should buy a frame that 'fits artwork' that is 60x90cm.
If you see a map that is an unusual size, such as 24x11 inches (or 61x29cm), I strongly recommend you wait for the map to arrive before making or ordering a frame online. These maps can vary in size by a few millimetres, and it's very frustrating if they don't fit into your frame!
If you need a map that is an exact size in centimetres or inches, please contact me.
Large maps
Please contact me if you are planning to frame a large map (over 40 inches or 100cm) yourself.
If you are buying your own frame, I recommend you wait for the frame to arrive, confirm the internal size of the frame, and then tell me the exact size that you need. Measure the width and height of the board on the back of the frame to get an accurate measurement.
Alternatively, buy the map from me, measure it when it arrives, and then order a frame to fit.
For large maps I can customise the size of your map for free.
If you are taking your map to a local framer, they will measure the map for you and then make the frame to fit.
Maps in "A" paper sizes
If you are looking for an A size that is not available on my shop, such as 2A0 or A4, please contact me for pricing.
Or try searching for something!
This is not a medical grade face mask, but it could still help prevent the spread of coronavirus/covid-19 if you wear it when you go outside.
There's a lovely amount of detail here. You might even be able to find the street that you live on today! Personalise your order if you'd like your face mask to focus on just a few streets or a region of Birmingham. It would make a really nice gift for someone who has ties to Birmingham.
The face mask is:
- 95% polyester, 5% elastane (fabric composition may vary by 1%)
- Fabric weight: 6.19 oz/yd² (210 g/m²)
- Breathable fabric
- Washable and reusable
- Four-way stretch fabric that stretches and recovers on the cross and lengthwise grains
- One size
- Printed on one side, reverse side is left blank
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 2-3cm (0.75in to 1in) 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 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, please get in touch.
See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.
A few different frame colours are available for free (black, brown, white and natural). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.
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.
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 have specialist printing and framing facilities in 17 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.
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/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 how the Unique Maps Co. sources and restores old maps
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.
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.
