Old Bird’s Eye Map of Toronto by Wesbroom, 1886: Queen’s Park, Harbour, St. James Cathedral, University, Exhibition Grounds
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different sizes and framing below
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FREE delivery in 2 to 3 days
Free delivery in 2 to 3 days
Your map should be delivered in 2 to 3 working days with free delivery, worldwide.
Father's Day orders: Please use Next Day delivery at checkout. Free delivery is unlikely to arrive on time.
We make maps by hand locally in 23 countries, including the USA
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. If you're buying a gift for someone in another country, we will make the map locally to them.You will never pay import tax or customs duty.
Express delivery is available at checkout which can reduce the delivery time to 1-2 days.
Please note that personalised maps, and larger framed maps, can take longer to produce and deliver.
If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, contact me and we can discuss your options.
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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.
We also cover the costs of offsetting the carbon emissions on all deliveries.
- Framing & free personalisation available
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90 day money back guarantee
90 days to return and refund
Products can be returned within 90 days for a full refund, or exchange for another product.
For personalised or custom made items, we may offer you a non-expiring gift card, as we cannot resell personalised orders.
If you have any questions, get in touch. For more information, see our full returns & exchanges policy.
My maps are rare, museum-grade, restored old maps sourced from libraries, auction houses and private collections across the globe.
Gift message & custom finish
If you want to add a gift message, or a finish (jigsaw, aluminium board, etc.) that is not available here, please request it in the "order note" when you check out.
Every order is custom made, so if you need the size adjusted slightly, or printed on an unusual material, just let us know. We've done thousands of custom orders over the years, so there's (almost) nothing we can't manage.
You can also contact us before you order, if you prefer!
- FREE 2-3 day worldwide delivery
- 90 day money back guarantee
- Handmade, museum-grade quality
- Bank grade payment security
The “City of Toronto” map, created in 1886 by the Toronto Lithographing Company under the direction of William Nathaniel Wesbroom, stands as a remarkable visual document of a city on the rise. This original bird’s eye view offers a sweeping panorama from the vantage of Lake Ontario, capturing Toronto’s transformation during the late Victorian era. The map’s title alone evokes a sense of civic pride and ambition, a testament to the city’s burgeoning status as a center of commerce, culture, and industry in Canada. Every detail is meticulously rendered, inviting the viewer to explore the vibrant urban tapestry of 19th-century Toronto.
One of the most compelling aspects of this map is its vivid portrayal of Toronto’s urban form. The grid of streets, first laid out for Simcoe in 1793, stretches relentlessly across the landscape, interrupted only by the natural curves of King Street and Kingston Road, the stately crescent of Spadina Avenue, and the verdant expanse of Queen’s Park. These deviations from the grid are not merely aesthetic; they reflect the city’s early attempts at thoughtful urban planning and the desire to balance order with the organic flow of the land. The map’s perspective highlights the city’s dense downtown core, a hive of Victorian ambition and industry.
Landmarks abound in this historic view, each rendered with a precision that brings the city’s past to life. The towering spires of St. James Cathedral and Metropolitan United Church dominate the skyline, while the stately grounds of the University of Toronto and the lush greenery of Queen’s Park provide visual relief amid the urban bustle. Along the waterfront, the bustling harbor and rail yards speak to Toronto’s status as a vital industrial and transportation hub, with piers and wharves extending into Lake Ontario and trains snaking their way through the city’s western edge. The Exhibition Grounds, visible to the west, hint at the city’s role as a gathering place for celebration and innovation.
The map’s artistry is matched by its historical significance. Few pictorial maps from this era capture the spirit of a city as effectively as Wesbroom’s 1886 masterpiece. It offers an unparalleled snapshot of Toronto before the sweeping changes of the 20th century, preserving the layout and architecture of buildings, neighborhoods, and green spaces that have long since evolved or disappeared. This map is more than a record of streets and structures; it is a celebration of the Victorian zeal for city-building, a “lasting testimony of what had been created in Toronto,” as historian William Dendy so aptly described.
The rarity of this map only adds to its allure. With only three known institutional copies, it is a treasure for collectors and connoisseurs of urban history. The “City of Toronto” map is not merely a navigational tool; it is a work of art and a document of civic pride, capturing the energy, ambition, and complexity of a city at a pivotal moment in its development. For anyone fascinated by the evolution of Toronto, or by the broader story of North American urbanization, this map is an indispensable and evocative artifact.
Streets and roads on this map
- Adelaide Street
- Bay Street
- Bloor Street
- Brock Street
- Carlton Street
- Church Street
- College Street
- Dufferin Street
- Dundas Street
- Edward Street
- Elizabeth Street
- Front Street
- Gerrard Street
- Jarvis Street
- King Street
- McCaul Street
- Mutual Street
- Parliament Street
- Peter Street
- Queen Street
- River Street
- Simcoe Street
- Spadina Avenue
- University Avenue
- Victoria Street
- Wellington Street
- William Street
- Wellesley Street
- York Street
- Yonge Street
Notable Features & Landmarks
- Toronto Harbour (Lake Ontario) prominently in the foreground
- Toronto Islands visible in the lower part of the image
- Rail yards and railway lines along the waterfront and western edge
- Prominent churches with tall spires (e.g., St. James Cathedral, Metropolitan United Church)
- Queen’s Park (large green area near the center-north of the map)
- University of Toronto campus buildings and grounds
- Exhibition Grounds (west of the downtown core)
- Don River visible on the eastern edge of the map
- Prominent industrial buildings along the waterfront
- Old City Hall (visible in the downtown core)
- Various wharves and piers extending into the harbor
- Park spaces and tree-lined avenues scattered throughout the city
Historical and design context
- Created in 1886 by the Toronto Lithographing Company under William Nathaniel Wesbroom
- Bird’s eye view / pictorial map, offering a sweeping panorama from Lake Ontario northward
- Covers Toronto from the harbor to just north of Bloor Street, west to beyond Dufferin Street, and east to River Street
- Illustrates the rapid growth and dense grid of downtown Toronto in the late Victorian era
- Highlights early urban planning efforts, such as the crescent of Spadina Avenue and the curve of King Street/Kingston Road
- Only three known institutional copies, making it one of the rarest 19th-century views of Toronto
- Celebrated by historians as a “lasting testimony” of Victorian city-building and urban ambition
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.
This map is wider than most maps, which would make it a perfect statement piece above a mantelpiece, sofa or desk.
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.
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.
If you are not happy with your order for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.
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 4,000 real 5-star reviews.
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 - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.
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.
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