Rare Old OS Map of Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire by Bartholomew, 1901: Luton, Chiltern Hills, London, Hemel Hempstead, St Albans

Sheet 25 - Bedford, Hertford, a masterpiece crafted by the esteemed cartographer JG Bartholomew in 1901, stands as a testament to the golden age of cartography. This map, part of Bartholomew's renowned Half-Inch to the Mile series, offers a detailed and visually captivating representation of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. Bartholomew's work is celebrated for its meticulous accuracy and aesthetic elegance, making it a prized possession for collectors and enthusiasts alike. The map's half-inch scale provides a perfect balance between detail and clarity, making it an invaluable resource for cyclists and tourists of the early 20th century.

The map's design is a marvel of cartographic innovation, employing a subtle gradation of colour bands to depict landscape relief. This technique, distinctive to Bartholomew's maps, allows for a nuanced understanding of the terrain, highlighting the undulating hills and valleys that characterize the region. The Chiltern Hills, a prominent feature on the map, are rendered with a gentle yet precise touch, inviting the viewer to explore the natural beauty of the area. The careful layering of colours not only enhances the map's visual appeal but also provides a practical guide for navigating the varied landscapes of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

Rich in historical and geographical detail, the map showcases the intricate network of rivers, railways, and roads that crisscross the region. The River Great Ouse, River Ivel, and River Lea meander gracefully across the map, their courses meticulously charted. The extensive railway lines reflect the burgeoning industrial era, connecting towns and cities and facilitating the movement of people and goods. Major roads and routes are clearly marked, offering a glimpse into the travel and transportation networks of the time. This intricate web of connectivity underscores the region's significance as a hub of activity and development.

The map also highlights notable landmarks and natural features that define the character of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. Woburn Abbey and Wrest Park, historic estates of great cultural and architectural importance, are prominently featured. The lush expanses of Woburn Park, Ampthill Park, and Wrest Park offer a verdant contrast to the built environment, showcasing the region's rich natural heritage. The Grand Junction Canal, a vital waterway of the period, is also depicted, emphasizing the importance of waterways in the economic and social life of the region.

In addition to its physical and historical richness, the map provides a detailed account of the numerous towns and cities that dot the landscape. From the bustling urban centers of Luton and Bedford to the charming market towns of Hitchin and Biggleswade, each settlement is meticulously charted. The map captures the essence of these communities, reflecting their unique identities and historical significance. For collectors, historians, and enthusiasts, Sheet 25 - Bedford, Hertford is not just a map; it is a window into the past, offering a vivid portrayal of a region steeped in history and natural beauty.

Cities and towns on this map

• Bedfordshire:
• Luton
• Bedford
• Dunstable
• Leighton Buzzard
• Biggleswade
• Sandy
• Ampthill
• Flitwick
• Kempston
• Shefford
• Hertfordshire:
• Hemel Hempstead
• Hitchin
• Stevenage
• Letchworth Garden City
• Baldock
• Royston
• Harpenden
• St Albans
• Welwyn Garden City
• Hatfield

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Rivers:
• River Great Ouse
• River Ivel
• River Lea
• River Flit
• Forests and Woods:
• Woburn Park
• Ampthill Park
• Wrest Park
• Railways:
• Various railway lines crisscrossing the map, indicative of the extensive railway network of the time.
• Roads:
• Major roads and routes, showing important connections for cyclists and travelers.
• Hills:
• Chiltern Hills
• Canals:
• Grand Junction Canal
• Historic landmarks:
• Woburn Abbey
• Wrest Park
• Parks:
• Bedford Park
• Luton Hoo Estate

Historical and design context

• Scale: Half-inch to the mile (1:126,720)
• Mapmaker/Publisher: JG Bartholomew
• Context about the mapmaker: JG Bartholomew was a prominent Scottish cartographer known for his detailed and visually appealing maps. His work was highly regarded for its accuracy and aesthetic quality.
• Date of creation: 1901
• Map series: Half-Inch Bartholomew Map of the British Isles
• Popularity: These maps were popular with cyclists and tourists due to their clarity and attractiveness.
• Flagship series: This series became Bartholomew's flagship due to its distinct use of colour layers to represent landscape relief.
• Innovative design: The map uses a subtle gradation of colour bands to show land at different heights, making it easier to understand the terrain.
• Base map: Reduced Ordnance Survey map from the same period
• Topics and themes:
• Political and physical features: The map details both political boundaries and physical landscapes.
• Cycling and tourism: The map was designed with cyclists and tourists in mind, highlighting routes and terrain features.
• Countries and regions shown:
• England: Specifically the counties of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
• Design/Style:
• Colour layers: Different layers of colour represent landscape relief.
• Landscape orientation: The map covers 18 miles from north to south and 26 miles from west to east in a landscape format.
• Historical significance:
• Technological advancement: The map represents an era of technological advancement in cartography with its detailed and colourful representation of the landscape.
• Cultural impact: It reflects the growing popularity of cycling and tourism in the early 20th century.

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 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 20in (50cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) 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.