Rare Old Map of Warwickshire by Samuel Lewis, 1844: Birmingham, Coventry, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Rugby

This Old Map of Warwickshire by Samuel Lewis in 1844 is a captivating piece of cartographic history that offers a glimpse into the past. With its intricate details and exquisite craftsmanship, this map is a true collector's item.

Featuring the County of Warwickshire in 1844, this map showcases the region's rich history and notable landmarks. While some modern cities may not be depicted on this map, it provides a fascinating insight into the towns and cities of the time, many of which are still thriving today. Additionally, some settlements may appear under earlier names, adding an element of discovery to this historical artifact.

Notable settlements founded before 1840 and located within the historical boundaries of Warwickshire include:

• Birmingham (1166): Known as the "City of a Thousand Trades," Birmingham played a pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution and is now a vibrant cultural and economic hub.
• Coventry (1043): Famous for its medieval cathedral and the legend of Lady Godiva, Coventry was a significant center for the textile industry.
• Stratford-upon-Avon (1196): The birthplace of William Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon is a charming market town brimming with Tudor architecture and literary heritage.
• Warwick (914): Home to the magnificent Warwick Castle, this historic town offers a glimpse into medieval England with its well-preserved buildings and rich heritage.
• Rugby (1086): Known worldwide as the birthplace of rugby football, Rugby is a market town with a proud sporting legacy.

Additional notable settlements within the historical boundaries of Warwickshire include:

• Leamington Spa (1784): Renowned for its elegant Regency architecture and therapeutic spa waters, Leamington Spa became a fashionable destination in the early 19th century.
• Nuneaton (12th century): Birthplace of author George Eliot, Nuneaton was an important center for the coal and textiles industries.
• Kenilworth (1120): Famous for its ruined medieval castle, Kenilworth offers a glimpse into the county's medieval past.
• Atherstone (1086): A market town with a rich history, Atherstone was once an important staging post on the coaching routes.
• Bedworth (13th century): Known for its coal mining and ribbon weaving industries, Bedworth has a long history of industrial heritage.

And the list continues:

• Pershore (689): A picturesque market town with a beautiful abbey, Pershore is known for its horticulture and agriculture.
• Alcester (12th century): A historic market town with well-preserved medieval buildings, Alcester was an important Roman settlement.
• Southam (11th century): With its medieval market cross and historic buildings, Southam is a charming market town with a rich heritage.
• Shipston-on-Stour (11th century): Situated on the River Stour, this market town has a long history of sheep farming and wool production.
• Coleshill (12th century): A market town with a rich history, Coleshill was an important center for coaching inns during the 18th century.

The list goes on:

• Rugby (1086): Known worldwide as the birthplace of rugby football, Rugby is a market town with a proud sporting legacy.
• Whitnash (12th century): A small town near Leamington Spa, Whitnash has a history dating back to the medieval period.
• Studley (12th century): Surrounded by beautiful countryside, Studley is a picturesque village with a rich history.
• Wellesbourne (11th century): Located on the River Dene, Wellesbourne is a charming village known for its agricultural heritage.
• Wolston (11th century): Situated on the banks of the River Avon, Wolston is a historic village with a medieval church.

The final settlements on the list are:

• Bulkington (11th century): A village with a long history, Bulkington is known for its connection to the poet George Eliot.
• Long Itchington (11th century): A picturesque village with a historic canal, Long Itchington has a charming rural character.
• Bidford-on-Avon (11th century): Located on the banks of the River Avon, Bidford-on-Avon is a village steeped in history and natural beauty.
• Hartshill (11th century): Nestled in the rolling hills of Warwickshire, Hartshill is a small village with a rich history.
• Tanworth-in-Arden (11th century): Surrounded by beautiful countryside, Tanworth-in-Arden is a village known for its historic church.

In addition to these notable settlements, County of Warwickshire is also home to the stunning Warwick Castle, the picturesque River Avon, and the scenic Cotswolds, which are now popular tourist attractions.

Between 1800 and 1850, the region of Warwickshire witnessed significant historical events, including the rise of the Industrial Revolution, which transformed Birmingham into an industrial powerhouse. Additionally, the construction of the Coventry Canal and the birth of the railway industry brought about significant changes to the county's transportation infrastructure.

Owning this Old Map of Warwickshire by Samuel Lewis in 1844 allows you to immerse yourself in the historical tapestry of the county, exploring its towns, cities, and landmarks as they were over a century and a half ago.

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: 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x30in (61x76cm), 32x40in (81.5x102cm) and 40x50in (102x127cm), 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 16x20in (40.5x51cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

Please note the unframed 24x30in (61x76cm) map has white edges around the map. These edges can help you with framing, or if you don’t need them they are very easy to snip off with scissors. All other maps, including the framed maps, look exactly like the listing images.

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.

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.