Rare Old Ordnance Survey Map, Sheet 72 - Birmingham, 1925: Coventry, Nuneaton, Solihull, Kenilworth, West Bromwich

The Old Ordnance Survey Map, Sheet 72 - Birmingham, 1925, is a fascinating piece of cartographic history that provides a detailed snapshot of the English Midlands during the early 20th century. This map showcases the major towns and cities of Birmingham, Coventry, Nuneaton, Solihull, Kenilworth, and West Bromwich, offering a valuable resource for historians, researchers, and enthusiasts alike.

This map holds great historical significance as it allows us to explore the region as it was in 1925. It provides a unique perspective on the development and growth of these towns and cities, showcasing their layout, street patterns, and landmarks during that era. It is important to note that while some modern cities may not be present on this map, it is equally exciting to discover earlier names for certain locations, offering a glimpse into the past.

Birmingham, the largest city in the West Midlands, is prominently featured on this map. Situated in the historic county of Warwickshire, Birmingham was a thriving industrial center known for its manufacturing and trade. Coventry, another notable city, was renowned for its medieval cathedral and the production of bicycles and motor vehicles. Nuneaton, a market town in Warwickshire, was famous for its coal mining and textiles. Solihull, located southeast of Birmingham, was known for its picturesque landscapes and historic buildings. Kenilworth, with its magnificent castle ruins, held significant historical and literary importance. West Bromwich, an industrial town, played a crucial role in the development of the region's coal and iron industries.

Major Settlements and Features:

• Birmingham: The largest city in the West Midlands, known for its industrial heritage and vibrant cultural scene.
• Coventry: Home to a medieval cathedral and historically renowned for its bicycle and motor vehicle manufacturing.
• Nuneaton: A market town with a rich coal mining and textile heritage.
• Solihull: A picturesque town with beautiful landscapes and notable historic buildings.
• Kenilworth: Famous for its impressive castle ruins, steeped in history and literary connections.
• West Bromwich: An industrial town that played a significant role in the coal and iron industries.

Notable Boundaries, Rivers, and Natural Phenomena:

• River Tame: A major river that flows through Birmingham and West Bromwich, providing a natural boundary and water source.
• Birmingham and Fazeley Canal: An important waterway that connected Birmingham with Fazeley, facilitating trade and transportation.
• Sutton Park: One of the largest urban parks in Europe, located near Sutton Coldfield, offering a natural escape within the bustling city.

Historical Events (within 20 years before 1925):

• 1909: The formation of the Birmingham Civic Society, a significant organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the city's architectural and cultural heritage.
• 1921: The establishment of Coventry Cathedral, later destroyed during World War II and rebuilt as a modernist masterpiece.

Immerse yourself in the history and geography of the English Midlands with this meticulously detailed Old Ordnance Survey Map, Sheet 72 - Birmingham, 1925. Discover the past landscapes, towns, and cities, and gain valuable insights into the region's development and heritage.

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), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 24x36in (61x91.5cm), 30x40in (76x101.5cm), 37x50in (94x127cm), 45x60in (114x152.5cm) and 52x70in (132x178cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 90in (229cm). 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.

The labels on this map are very small at 12x16in (30.5x41cm). The map is still very attractive, but you may struggle to read the smallest letters. Please buy a larger map if it's important to be able to read the map easily.

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 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.

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, 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.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

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.