Old Map of Negroland, 1747 by Bowen - Pre-Colonial West Africa - Slave Trade, Ivory Coast, Gold Coast
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Handmade in the USA
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 (usually 2-3 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 - guaranteed for Christmas
Free worldwide delivery - Guaranteed for Christmas
Your map should be delivered in 3 to 4 working days with free delivery.
Express delivery is available at checkout which can reduce the delivery time to 1 to 2 days.
This means your map will arrive in time for Christmas, even if you personalise your map or customise the frame.
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.
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Custom map sizes are available
At The Unique Maps Co., every order is processed and made by hand. There is no mass production and every map is custom made to order.
This means that I can tailor your map so that it perfectly fits a space on your wall, or a frame that you already own.
To order a custom sized map, select the size closest to what you need, and then select 'customise the size?' from the options below.
Custom sizing is free for large maps over 100cm or 40 inches, but for smaller maps there will be an additional small fee.
Or try searching for something!
I also have this exact same map but with the original, almost-300-years-old handcolouring, which may better suit your aesthetic/decor.
This map shows West Africa after the great African empires had fallen, but before Europe had marched through and colonialised much of the continent. There is a small British presence in Guinea, and the effect of slavery is starting to show on the Gold Coast, Slave Coast and Tooth Coast (the original name for Ivory Coast!)
But for the most part this map shows West Africa back when it was ruled by the great independent Kingdoms of Benin, Judah, Tafilet (now Morocco and Algeria), Agades, Zanfara and Bito.
You might recognise a few nations that have survived to modern day, such as Niger and Sierra Leone, and a few major cities. But for the most part, very few modern African places can be seen on this map.
The map is covered in interesting notes and context. Take a look at the detailed images and read some of them - they add a lot of historical flavour that really set the scene of what West Africa was like in the 18th century.
This map looks great at all sizes from 12x18 inches (30x45cm), to 16x20 inches (40x50cm) and 24x36 inches (60x90cm). But it looks even better when printed large. I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 80 inches (200cm) wide. Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.
This would make a wonderful birthday, work leaving, housewarming, Christmas or Father's Day gift for someone from West Africa or who is interested in the slave trade.
You can order the map itself, or you can order a framed version. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that really makes our maps pop out when on a wall. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame. We use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) in our frames - it's less reflective than glass and better for transport.
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.
Some of my old maps are now available as framed canvases. Please contact me if you'd like to order a size that isn't available on my shop.
Canvas old maps are an interesting alternative to conventionally framed maps. Depending on your personal taste and room decor, canvas maps can "pop" a bit more than a framed map.
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.