Rare Old Map of Oxfordshire by Samuel Lewis, 1844: Oxford, Banbury, Abingdon, Bicester, and Witney
The price will update when you pick
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.
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.
Custom size and finish
If you are looking for a size or finish 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
This exquisitely detailed and historically rich map of Oxfordshire from 1844 by the notable cartographer, Samuel Lewis, provides a fascinating snapshot of one of England's most historic counties during a period of immense social and industrial change. Every hand-drawn line and painstakingly etched name tells a story of a time and place that laid the foundations of the modern Oxfordshire we know today. Each settlement, from the smallest hamlet to the largest town, offers a window into the past, some of which have grown into modern cities while others have remained charmingly unaltered over the centuries.
This vintage map is perfect for those with a love for history and geography, as it captivates with its antiquated charm while illustrating the seeds of Oxfordshire's future. Many of today's bustling towns and cities can be found on this map, albeit sometimes under their earlier names, adding an extra layer of excitement for the keen observer.
List of 30 Towns and Cities in Oxfordshire (1844):
- Oxford (founded c. 900 AD) - Known for its world-renowned University of Oxford, one of the oldest in the world.
- Banbury (founded pre-1086 AD) - Famously featured in the nursery rhyme "Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross".
- Abingdon (founded pre-7th Century AD) - Recognized as one of the oldest continually inhabited towns in England.
- Bicester (founded c. 1130 AD) - A market town that has seen significant growth in recent years.
- Witney (founded pre-1066 AD) - Noted for its historical significance in the wool trade.
- Kidlington (founded c. 1086 AD) - Reputed to be the largest village in England.
- Didcot (founded pre-1086 AD) - Became a significant railway town in the 19th century.
- Wantage (founded c. 6th Century AD) - Birthplace of King Alfred the Great.
- Carterton (founded c. 1770 AD) - Rapidly expanded due to its proximity to RAF Brize Norton.
- Thame (founded pre-1086 AD) - Known for its beautiful 13th-century parish church.
- Wallingford (founded c. 9th Century AD) - An ancient market town with a historic castle ruin.
- Henley-on-Thames (founded c. 1170 AD) - Famous for its annual Royal Regatta.
- Faringdon (founded c. 1218 AD) - Known for Faringdon Folly, an iconic 100ft tower.
- Chipping Norton (founded c. 1205 AD) - A market town with a rich woolen manufacturing history.
- Charlbury (founded c. 1086 AD) - Home to the beautiful Cornbury Park.
- Chinnor (founded pre-1086 AD) - Known for the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway.
- Burford (founded c. 1070 AD) - Known as the 'Gateway to the Cotswolds'.
- Eynsham (founded c. 1005 AD) - Home to the historic Eynsham Abbey.
- Watlington (founded c. 1140 AD) - Known for its annual town festival.
- Goring-on-Thames (founded pre-1086 AD) - Noted for the Goring Gap, a beautiful natural feature.
- Steeple Aston (founded pre-1086 AD) - Home to the beautiful Church of St Peter and St Paul.
- Benson (founded c. 9th Century AD) - Known for its annual summer fair.
- Bampton (founded c. 1086 AD) - Recognized as a filming location for Downton Abbey.
- Sonning Common (founded pre-1086 AD) - Home to the historic All Saints Church.
- Kingston Bagpuize (founded pre-1086 AD) - Known for the stately Kingston Bagpuize House.
- Sutton Courtenay (founded pre-1086 AD) - Resting place of George Orwell.
- Wheatley (founded pre-1086 AD) - Noted for its 18th-century windmill.
- Shipton-under-Wychwood (founded c. 1086 AD) - Noted for its historic Shipton Court.
- Long Hanborough (founded pre-1086 AD) - Home to the Oxford Bus Museum.
- Grove (founded pre-1086 AD) - An important agricultural center during this period.
Notable Natural Features:
- River Thames - Oxfordshire's major waterway, perfect for boating and riverside walks.
- Chiltern Hills - An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty perfect for hiking.
- Cotswolds - A picturesque area known for its rolling hills and quaint villages.
Historical Events (1800-1850):
- 1835 - The founding of Oxford University's Keble College.
- 1844 - The opening of the Great Western Railway, connecting Oxford with London.
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 all sizes: 8x10in (20.5x25.5cm), 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 24x36in (61x91.5cm), 30x40in (76x101.5cm) and 37x50in (94x127cm), but it looks even better when printed large.
I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 50in (127cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.
The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45.5x61cm) 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 main collection of UK and Ireland maps.
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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