Old Rare County Map of the United States by GW Colton, 1874
Only 1 in stock
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Handmade in the UK
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Your map will be handmade in the UK
The Unique Maps Co. is a UK-based company that prints, frames, personalises and delivers maps all around the world.
If the delivery address is in the UK, your map will be printed and framed here.
If the delivery address is outside the UK, I will print and frame the map outside of the UK. I have local production facilities in 22 countries.
This is great for gifting. For example, you can buy a map for someone in Singapore, and I'll make and deliver the map locally in Singapore with no tax or duty to be paid by the recipient.
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Free delivery
in 2 to 3 days
Delivery in 2 to 3 days
Your map should be delivered in 2 to 3 working days with free delivery.
Express delivery is available at checkout which can reduce the delivery time to 1 to 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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Premium hardwood frames
Premium hardwood frames
My framed maps are handmade by professional, experienced framers from sustainably sourced hardwoods.
This means your framed map will feel solid and well-made.
My standard frame colours (black, dark brown, white, oak and gold) are available for all map sizes worldwide.
Custom framing is available for an additional fee.
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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 £50 or more, we'll plant a tree in your name.
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Custom map sizes are available
At The Unique Maps Co., every order is processed and made by hand. There is no mass production and every map is custom made to order.
This means that I can tailor your map so that it perfectly fits a space on your wall, or a frame that you already own.
To order a custom sized map, select the size closest to what you need, and then select 'customise the size?' from the options below.
Custom sizing is free for large maps over 100cm or 40 inches, but for smaller maps there will be an additional small fee.
Or try searching for something!
Dive into the rich tapestry of American history with the "New County Map Of The United States Of America," meticulously crafted by GW Colton in 1874. This map is not merely a visual representation; it is a historical voyage that captures the essence of the United States during a pivotal era. Colton, renowned for his detailed cartographic works, has outdone himself with this creation. The map's detailed political and physical layout, colored by county, offers a unique lens through which to view the country post-Civil War, during a time of rapid expansion and change. The inclusion of Alaska, freshly ceded by Russia in 1867, alongside the detailed depiction of the Great Ocean Routes, underscores the nation's burgeoning spirit of exploration and ambition on the global stage.
The map's intricate design and comprehensive coverage of the United States, including the territories, provide a snapshot of the nation's geography and infrastructure in 1874. From the bustling streets of New York City to the serene landscapes of the Great Lakes and the majestic flow of the Mississippi River, this map encapsulates the diverse beauty and complexity of the U.S. landscape. It also highlights the extensive network of railroads and canals, critical to the era's economic growth and development, marking the map as a valuable document for understanding the period's industrial and transportation advancements.
Colton's map is a treasure trove of geographical features and natural wonders. The Rocky and Appalachian Mountains are depicted in stunning detail, alongside the Sierra Nevada, Cascade Range, and Coast Range, offering a glimpse into the country's rugged terrain and natural beauty. The map also delineates major rivers such as the Missouri, Ohio, Columbia, Colorado, and Rio Grande, emphasizing the importance of these waterways in shaping the nation's history and development.
Beyond its geographical accuracy, the map serves as a cultural and historical document, reflecting the political boundaries and societal landscape of the time. The detailed depiction of state and territory names, major cities, and the borders with Mexico and Canada, provides insight into the political climate and territorial disputes of the era. The map's portrayal of railroads and canals not only highlights technological progress but also the movement towards a more connected and unified nation.
In essence, GW Colton's "New County Map Of The United States Of America" is more than a map; it is a historical artifact that captures the spirit of an era. It invites viewers to explore the vast landscapes, bustling cities, and intricate waterways that define the United States. This map is a must-have for collectors, historians, and anyone fascinated by the rich tapestry of American history, offering a window into the nation's past and a reflection on its journey towards the future.
Cities and towns on this map
- New York City, NY
- Philadelphia, PA
- Baltimore, MD
- Boston, MA
- New Orleans, LA
- Cincinnati, OH
- St. Louis, MO
- Washington, D.C.
- Albany, NY
- Buffalo, NY
- Providence, RI
- Newark, NJ
- Louisville, KY
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Rochester, NY
- Troy, NY
- Utica, NY
- Syracuse, NY
- New Haven, CT
- Hartford, CT
- Springfield, MA
- Worcester, MA
- Salem, MA
- Lowell, MA
- Cambridge, MA
- Lynn, MA
- Charlestown, MA
- Roxbury, MA
- Dorchester, MA
- Brooklyn, NY
- Williamsburg, NY
- Jersey City, NJ
- Hoboken, NJ
- Paterson, NJ
- Elizabeth, NJ
- New Brunswick, NJ
- Trenton, NJ
- Camden, NJ
- Burlington, NJ
- Bordentown, NJ
- Rahway, NJ
- Perth Amboy, NJ
- Dover, NJ
- Morristown, NJ
- Newark, NJ
- Orange, NJ
- Bloomfield, NJ
- Acquackanonk, NJ
- Belleville, NJ
- Harrison, NJ
- Kearny, NJ
- Bergen, NJ
- Weehawken, NJ
- Hoboken, NJ
- Guttenberg, NJ
- West Hoboken, NJ
- Union, NJ
- Clinton, NJ
- South Amboy, NJ
- Keyport, NJ
- Matawan, NJ
- Middletown, NJ
- Freehold, NJ
- Tom's River, NJ
- Barnegat, NJ
- Tuckerton, NJ
- Egg Harbor City, NJ
- Somers Point, NJ
- Ocean City, NJ
- Long Branch, NJ
- Asbury Park, NJ
- Ocean Grove, NJ
- Spring Lake, NJ
Notable Features & Landmarks
- Atlantic Ocean
- Pacific Ocean
- Gulf of Mexico
- Caribbean Sea
- Great Lakes
- Mississippi River
- Missouri River
- Ohio River
- Columbia River
- Colorado River
- Rio Grande
- United States - Mexico border
- United States - Canada border
- Rocky Mountains
- Appalachian Mountains
- Sierra Nevada
- Cascade Range
- Coast Range
- State and territory names
- Major cities
- Railroads
- Canals
Historical and design context
- Created by GW Colton in 1874
- Detailed political and physical map
- Shows the entire U.S. in 1874, with inset maps of North America and the Western Hemisphere
- Colored by county
- Shows the territory of Alaska, ceded by Russia to the United States in 1867
- Shows the Great Ocean Routes from the United States to all parts of the World
- A valuable historical document providing a snapshot of the United States in 1874
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 5 metres (200 inches). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.
The model in the listing images is holding the 36x24in (90x60cm) 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.
My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. On maps up to 36 inches (91cm) the frame is 1.5-3cm (0.6in to 1in) wide. I use thicker frames on larger maps - usually between 35 and 60mm (1.4in to 2.4in).
In all cases 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.
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.
A few different frame colours are available for free (black, brown, white, oak and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.
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.
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 have specialist printing and framing facilities in 17 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.
My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.
I source original, extremely 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 how the Unique Maps Co. sources and restores old maps
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.
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 1,500 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.
