Old Map of Iran by Tallis, 1851: Persia, Tehran, Isfahan, Caspian Sea, Elburz & Zagros Mountains

Step into the rich tapestry of 19th-century cartography with “Persia,” an exquisite map engraved by the renowned John Tallis in 1851. This original work, produced for R. Montgomery Martin’s celebrated Illustrated Atlas, stands as a testament to the artistry and precision of one of the last great decorative mapmakers. Tallis’s maps are highly prized for their captivating vignettes and meticulous attention to detail, and “Persia” is no exception—offering a vivid window into the heart of a region steeped in history, culture, and natural grandeur.

The map unfolds the vast expanse of historical Persia, a realm that today encompasses modern Iran and stretches into neighboring Afghanistan, Baluchistan, and the lands bordering the Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf. Borders are elegantly delineated, revealing the political landscape of the era, while the intricate rendering of the Elburz and Zagros mountain ranges evokes the formidable natural barriers that have shaped Persian civilization for millennia. The map’s careful depiction of deserts, such as the Great Salt Desert and the Desert of Lut, highlights the dramatic contrasts that define this storied land.

A hallmark of Tallis’s artistry is the inclusion of evocative vignettes, and “Persia” delights with its decorative illustrations. These include a panoramic view of Ispahan (modern Isfahan), the resplendent city that once served as the capital of the Safavid Empire; a group of Kurds in traditional attire, reflecting the ethnic diversity of the region; a stately Bactrian camel, emblematic of the Silk Road caravans; and a Persian horseman, capturing the equestrian traditions that are deeply woven into Persian identity. These scenes offer a rare glimpse into the daily life and cultural vibrancy of 19th-century Persia.

The map’s geographic sweep encompasses a constellation of cities and towns that remain vital to the modern world, including Tehran, Tabriz, Mashhad, Shiraz, and Yazd. Each settlement is elegantly inscribed, bearing witness to centuries of history, commerce, and artistic achievement. The coastal cities of Bushehr and Bandar Abbas anchor Persia’s maritime connections, while the ancient centers of Herat and Kandahar, now in Afghanistan, evoke the region’s enduring significance as a crossroads of empires.

John Tallis’s “Persia” is more than a map—it is a masterwork of historical storytelling, blending scientific accuracy with decorative elegance. The map’s lush borders, intricate engravings, and cultural vignettes invite the viewer to journey through time, tracing the shifting frontiers, natural wonders, and vibrant societies that have defined Persia’s place in the world. For collectors and connoisseurs of cartographic art, this map offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of history, capturing the spirit and splendor of a land at the crossroads of East and West.

Cities and towns on this map

• Iran (modern-day):
• Tehran
• Isfahan (Ispahan)
• Tabriz
• Mashhad (Meshed)
• Shiraz
• Yazd (Yezd)
• Kerman (Kirman)
• Qazvin (Kazvin)
• Kashan
• Bushehr (Bushire)
• Hamadan (Hamadan)
• Bandar Abbas (Gombroon)
• Rasht (Resht)

• Ardabil (Ardebil)

• Afghanistan (modern-day):

• Herat

• Kandahar (Candahar)

• Pakistan (modern-day):

• Gwadar (Guadel)

Notable Features & Landmarks

• View of Ispahan (Esfahan) (decorative vignette)
• Depiction of Kurds in traditional attire (decorative vignette)
• Illustration of a Bactrian Camel (decorative vignette)
• Persian figure on horseback (decorative vignette)
• Persian Gulf
• Caspian Sea
• Gulf of Oman
• Elburz Mountains (Alborz)
• Zagros Mountains
• Great Salt Desert (Dasht-e Kavir)
• Desert of Lut (Dasht-e Lut)
• Clearly delineated borders of historical Persia
• Neighboring regions labeled, including Afghanistan, Baluchistan, and parts of Turkestan

Historical and design context

• Created by John Tallis in 1851, one of the last great decorative mapmakers of the 19th century
• Produced for R. Montgomery Martin’s Illustrated Atlas
• Noted for decorative borders, detailed engraving, and inclusion of artistic vignettes depicting indigenous scenes, people, and animals
• Offers a vivid snapshot of Persia’s political and physical geography in the mid-19th century
• Highly prized by collectors for its combination of cartographic accuracy and artistic elegance
• Reflects the geopolitical boundaries, cultural perceptions, and European cartographic traditions of its 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 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

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 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.