Rare Old Birdseye Map of Lima by Ulloa, 1748: Fortifications, River, Bridges, City Blocks, Cartouches

"Plano scenographico, de la Ciudo. de las Reyes ò Lima Capital de los Reynos del Perú," created by Antonio de Ulloa in 1748, is a captivating bird's-eye-view map that intricately details the vibrant city of Lima, Peru. This map is a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship of Ulloa, who, along with Jorge Juan, embarked on a scientific expedition to South America. The map vividly illustrates the city's layout, showcasing the intricate network of streets, city blocks, and fortifications that defined Lima during the mid-18th century. The ornamental cartouches and indexed place names add a layer of elegance and functionality, making this map not only a navigational tool but also a piece of art.

Lima, known as the "City of Kings," is brought to life through this map, highlighting its significant neighborhoods and landmarks. The detailed depiction of fortifications surrounding the city offers a glimpse into the defensive strategies employed during that era. The map also features the city's bridges, which were crucial for connecting various parts of Lima across the river. The meticulous representation of these elements underscores the city's strategic importance and its role as a hub of colonial administration and commerce in the Spanish Empire.

One of the most striking features of this map is its portrayal of the natural landscape, including the river that flows through Lima. The arrow indicating the direction of the river flow provides a practical understanding of the city's topography and drainage. The inclusion of vegetation and topographical details further enhances the map's accuracy and aesthetic appeal. These elements collectively offer a comprehensive view of Lima's natural and built environment, making the map a valuable resource for historians and enthusiasts alike.

Antonio de Ulloa's expertise as a naval officer and scientist is evident in the precision and detail of this map. His work, alongside Jorge Juan, was part of a larger scientific endeavor to measure the degrees of the terrestrial meridian. This map of Lima is not just a representation of a city but a reflection of the scientific and exploratory spirit of the 18th century. The map's inclusion in the third volume of "Relacion historica del viage hecho de orden de S. Mag. a la America Meridional" underscores its significance in the broader context of geographical and astronomical studies of the time.

The historical significance of this map extends beyond its visual appeal. It offers insights into the urban planning and architectural styles of colonial Lima, providing a window into the past. The indexed place names, such as Calle de los Mercaderes and Calle de la Union, reveal the bustling commercial and social life of the city. The map serves as a historical document that captures the essence of Lima during a pivotal period in its history, making it an invaluable addition to any collection of antique maps.

Streets and roads on this map

• Calle de Abajo
• Calle de Aburrimiento
• Calle de Arriba
• Calle de Barranca
• Calle de Belem
• Calle de Caballeros
• Calle de Cazadores
• Calle de Concepcion
• Calle de Corrales
• Calle de Cotabambas
• Calle de Escribanos
• Calle de Flores
• Calle de la Barranca
• Calle de la Caridad
• Calle de la Carroza
• Calle de la Cruz
• Calle de la Estrella
• Calle de la Luna
• Calle de la Merced
• Calle de la Palma
• Calle de la Pelota
• Calle de la Platería
• Calle de la Pólvora
• Calle de la Puente
• Calle de la Sal
• Calle de la Soledad
• Calle de la Union
• Calle de los Mercaderes
• Calle del Arzobispo
• Calle del Hospital

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Ornamental cartouches at the upper left and right corners.
• Fortifications surrounding the city.
• Bridges crossing the river.
• Detailed city blocks within the fortified area.
• River flowing through the city.
• Indexed place names with a key at the upper left and right.

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Plano scenographico, de la Ciudo. de las Reyes ò Lima Capital de los Reynos del Perú
• Creation date: 1748
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Antonio de Ulloa, with contributions from Jorge Juan
• Interesting context about the mapmaker: Antonio de Ulloa was a Spanish naval officer, scientist, and explorer. He, along with Jorge Juan, was part of a scientific expedition to South America to measure the arc of the meridian at the equator.
• Topics and themes shown on the map:
• City layout: Depicts city blocks, streets, bridges, and fortifications.
• Natural features: Topography, vegetation, and drainage.
• Relief depiction: Pictorial representation of relief.
• Additional elements: Two bar scales and an arrow indicating the direction of river flow.
• Countries and regions shown on the map: Lima, Peru
• Design/Style of the map: Bird's-eye-view, black and white engraving, ornamental cartouches, indexed place names.
• Historical significance/context:
• Expedition purpose: Part of a comprehensive work detailing a scientific expedition to South America.
• Publication: Appeared in the third volume of "Relacion historica del viage hecho de orden de S. Mag. a la America Meridional," published in Madrid by Antonio Marin in 1748.
• Scientific contributions: The expedition aimed to measure degrees of the terrestrial meridian to understand the Earth's true figure and magnitude.

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 16in (40cm) 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 18x24in (45x60cm) 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.