Rare Old Map of the Philippines, 1744: Reduced Version of 1734 Murillo Velarde Chart

The "Mapa de Las Yslas Philipinas," created in 1744 by Pedro Murillo Velarde and Nicolás de la Cruz Bagay, is a masterful representation of the Philippine archipelago. This map is a significant historical artifact, reflecting a decade of exploration and development since the original 1734 wall map. Murillo Velarde, a Jesuit priest and cartographer, collaborated with Bagay, a Filipino engraver, to produce this detailed and scientifically accurate depiction. Their work stands as a testament to the Spanish-Philippine collaboration during the 18th century, offering a glimpse into the era's cartographic advancements.

The map meticulously covers the entire Philippine archipelago, extending from the northern reaches of Luzon to the southern island of Mindanao, and westward to Palawan. It also includes parts of nearby Borneo, visible in the lower left corner. This comprehensive coverage showcases the diverse geography of the region, from its numerous islands and intricate coastlines to its mountain ranges and bodies of water. The Sulu Sea, prominently featured, serves as a backdrop for one of the map's most striking vignettes, adding both artistic and geographical value.

One of the most captivating aspects of this map is its inclusion of religious and cultural elements. In the Sulu Sea, Saint Francis Xavier is depicted traveling on a scalloped water-chariot, propelled by cherub-like mer-creatures. This illustration humorously includes a tiny crab returning the saint’s lost crucifix, a reference to an anecdote in his hagiography. Additionally, Magellan's flagship, the carrack "Nao Victoria," is illustrated just beneath the saint, symbolizing the historical significance of the first circumnavigation of the globe and its connection to the Philippines.

The upper right corner of the map features a decorative cartouche dominated by a lion holding a banner, flanked by figures representing various cultures. On the left, a berobed Chinese figure with a parasol and an Aeta with a bow and arrow are depicted, while on the right, a Cimarrón archer and a Moro with a kalasag (shield) and spear stand guard. This cartouche is surmounted by the Dos Mundos, symbolizing the global reach of the Spanish empire. Such artistic details not only enhance the map's visual appeal but also underscore the cultural diversity and historical context of the region.

This map is not only a geographical document but also a historical narrative, reflecting the dynamic interplay of exploration, trade, and cultural exchange in the 18th century. The inclusion of a large ship sailing towards the Philippines, likely representing the trans-Pacific Manila galleon trade, highlights the global connections facilitated by these islands. As a source map for many subsequent maps of the Philippines, this work by Murillo Velarde and Bagay remains an invaluable resource for understanding the historical and geographical evolution of the archipelago.

Cities and towns on this map

• Manila
• Cebu
• Zamboanga
• Vigan
• Cavite
• Bacolod
• Iloilo
• Davao
• Tacloban
• Legazpi
• Naga
• Dumaguete
• Butuan
• Tarlac
• San Fernando
• Laoag
• Lucena
• Cabanatuan
• Calapan
• Sorsogon
• Masbate
• Baguio
• Puerto Princesa
• Tagbilaran
• Ormoc
• Roxas
• Pagadian
• Dipolog
• Basilan
• Catbalogan
• Surigao
• Santiago
• Gapan
• Ligao
• Sagay
• Baybay
• Tandag
• Malaybalay
• Bontoc
• San Jose
• Tabaco
• Iriga
• Bangued
• Bongao
• Borongan
• Kabankalan
• Mati
• Tagum
• Panabo
• Tuguegarao
• Bais
• Catarman
• Calbayog
• Bayugan
• Gingoog
• Oroquieta
• Marawi
• Kidapawan
• Koronadal
• General Santos
• Cotabato
• Iligan
• Ozamiz
• Tangub
• Valencia
• Cagayan de Oro
• Tagoloan
• El Salvador
• Cabadbaran
• San Francisco
• Bislig
• Samal
• Digos

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Illustrations:
• Saint Francis Xavier on a scalloped water-chariot with cherub-like mer-creatures.
• Magellan's flagship, the carrack "Nao Victoria."
• A large ship, likely representing the Manila galleon trade, east of Luzon.
• Bodies of water:
• Sulu Sea
• Other notable features:
• Decorative cartouche in the upper right corner with a lion, various cultural figures, and the Dos Mundos.

Historical and design context

• Creation date: 1744
• Mapmakers/Publishers: Pedro Murillo Velarde and Nicolás de la Cruz Bagay
• Context about the mapmakers: Pedro Murillo Velarde was a Jesuit priest and cartographer, and Nicolás de la Cruz Bagay was a Filipino engraver. This collaboration is a significant example of Spanish-Philippine cooperation in the 18th century.
• Historical significance:
• This map is the first edition of Nicolás de la Cruz Bagay’s reduction of the 1734 Murillo Velarde wall map of the Philippines.
• It is considered one of the most important productions in the history of Philippine printing.
• It is the second major map of the Philippines published in the Philippines, reflecting 10 years of discovery and development.
• It served as the source map for most subsequent maps of the Philippines well into the early 19th century.
• Themes and topics:
• Political and physical geography: The map provides detailed political and physical features of the Philippine archipelago.
• Religious and cultural elements: The map includes vignettes such as Saint Francis Xavier traveling on a scalloped water-chariot, and Magellan's flagship, the carrack "Nao Victoria."
• Global trade: The map references the trans-Pacific Manila galleon trade.
• Regions covered:
• The entire Philippine archipelago, from northern Luzon to Mindanao and west to Palawan.
• Parts of nearby Borneo are also evident in the lower left.
• Design and style:
• The map features detailed cartography and engraving.
• It includes striking vignettes and a decorative cartouche in the upper right corner, dominated by a lion holding a banner and flanked by various figures representing different cultures.
• The bottom of the cartouche is surmounted by the Dos Mundos, underscoring the global reach of the Spanish empire.

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 24x36in (60x90cm) 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.

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 print and frame maps in 22 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.

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 are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

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 on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map 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 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 4,000 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.