Old Map of New York City by Tallis & Rapkin, 1851: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Williamsburgh, City Hall, Custom's House
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.
- 5 stars 'Excellent' rating on Trustpilot
Need help ordering?
Call the workshop 9am to 5pm, or WhatsApp me any time.
Looking for a different map of your city?
I can make a personalised old map focused on a specific street or neighbourhood. Contact me for more info.
Or try searching for something!
This 1851 map of New York City, published by Tallis & Rapkin, is a remarkable example of cartographic artistry and historical documentation. It captures the essence of the city during a period of rapid growth and transformation, offering a glimpse into the urban landscape of the mid-19th century.
The map showcases the city's intricate street grid, with major thoroughfares such as Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and the Bowery clearly delineated. Prominent landmarks like City Hall, the Custom's House, and the Battery are meticulously illustrated, providing a visual representation of the city's architectural heritage. The map also extends north to 42nd Street, encompassing the vibrant neighborhoods of Murray Hill and Turtle Bay.
One of the distinguishing features of this map is the inclusion of several vignettes that adorn its borders. These charming illustrations depict various aspects of New York City life, including a bustling harbor scene, a view of the city from Brooklyn, and a majestic eagle representing the United States. These vignettes add a touch of artistic flair to the map, transforming it from a mere geographical representation into a work of art.
The level of detail in this map is truly remarkable, with even the smallest streets and alleys meticulously labeled. Wharves, squares, parks, and ferry lines are all clearly marked, providing a comprehensive overview of the city's infrastructure. This attention to detail makes the map an invaluable resource for historians, urban planners, and anyone interested in the evolution of New York City.
Tallis, the map's creator, was a renowned cartographer and engraver who produced some of the most exquisite maps of the 19th century. His works are highly sought after by collectors for their exceptional artistry and historical significance. This map of New York City stands as a testament to Tallis's skill and dedication, capturing the essence of a city that was on the cusp of becoming a global metropolis.
This is an old map, and not every modern place is shown, or they may be on the map with a different name. If this was a modern map, covering the same area, the following things would be visible on the map:
Neighbourhoods:
- Battery Park City
- Brooklyn
- Chelsea
- Chinatown
- East Village
- Financial District
- Flatiron District
- Greenwich Village
- Harlem
- Hell's Kitchen
- Hudson Square
- Kips Bay
- Little Italy
- Lower East Side
- Meatpacking District
- Midtown
- Murray Hill
- NoHo
- Nolita
- Queens
- SoHo
- Tribeca
- Union Square
- Upper East Side
- Upper West Side
- Washington Heights
- West Village
Major Streets:
- Broadway
- Canal Street
- East Broadway
- Fifth Avenue
- Fourteenth Street
- Houston Street
- Lexington Avenue
- Madison Avenue
- Park Avenue
- Seventh Avenue
- Third Avenue
- Wall Street
Major Parks:
- Battery Park
- Bryant Park
- Central Park
- Madison Square Park
- Stuyvesant Park
- Tompkins Square Park
- Union Square Park
- Washington Square Park
Historic Landmarks:
- City Hall
- Custom's House
- Federal Hall
- Fort Hamilton
- Grand Central Terminal
- New York Public Library
- St. Patrick's Cathedral
- Trinity Church
- Wall Street Exchange
All Labelled Places:
- Battery
- Bellevue Hospital
- Bloomingdale Asylum
- Bowery
- Brooklyn
- Canal Street
- Castle Garden
- Central Park
- City Hall
- Clinton Place
- Custom's House
- East Broadway
- East River
- Federal Hall
- Fifth Avenue
- Fort Hamilton
- Grand Street
- Greenwich Village
- Harlem
- Houston Street
- Hudson River
- Irving Place
- Lafayette Place
- Lexington Avenue
- Madison Avenue
- Manhattan Island
- Murray Hill
- Nassau Street
- New York Public Library
- New York Steamer
- North River
- Park Avenue
- Pearl Street
- Rutgers Place
- St. Patrick's Cathedral
- Seventh Avenue
- Stuyvesant Park
- Third Avenue
- Trinity Church
- Union Square
- Wall Street
- Washington Square Park
- Williamsburgh
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 90in (230cm). 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.
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.
