Rare William Smith Geology Map of England, Scotland & Wales, 1815 - Up to 5 meters (16ft) - Vintage Wall Art
Rare William Smith Geology Map of England, Scotland & Wales, 1815 - Up to 5 meters (16ft) - Vintage Wall Art
Rare William Smith Geology Map of England, Scotland & Wales, 1815 - Up to 5 meters (16ft) - Vintage Wall Art
Rare William Smith Geology Map of England, Scotland & Wales, 1815 - Up to 5 meters (16ft) - Vintage Wall Art
Rare William Smith Geology Map of England, Scotland & Wales, 1815 - Up to 5 meters (16ft) - Vintage Wall Art
Rare William Smith Geology Map of England, Scotland & Wales, 1815 - Up to 5 meters (16ft) - Vintage Wall Art
Rare William Smith Geology Map of England, Scotland & Wales, 1815 - Up to 5 meters (16ft) - Vintage Wall Art
Rare William Smith Geology Map of England, Scotland & Wales, 1815 - Up to 5 meters (16ft) - Vintage Wall Art
Rare William Smith Geology Map of England, Scotland & Wales, 1815 - Up to 5 meters (16ft) - Vintage Wall Art

Rare William Smith Geology Map of England, Scotland & Wales, 1815 - Up to 5 meters (16ft) - Vintage Wall Art

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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 21 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.

    Learn more about local production and delivery

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    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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Need a custom size?

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.

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Personalise your map to make it truly unique (+£40). I will seamlessly add a message, place, or illustration. See some amazing examples.
"Original" looks just like the product photos. If you want an older looking map, select Aged (+£20). See some examples.
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Behold! One of the rarest and finest old maps of England, Wales and Scotland (with guest appearances from Ireland and France): William Smith's 1815 geological map of the British Isles.

This was the first ever geology map of a nation, and only a few hundred were ever made. This is one of the finest examples of the map, and I have lovingly restored it so that it looks perfectly old, but still beautiful, eye-catching and colourful.

Please get in touch if you'd like a larger framed map, or if you'd like to customise your map. I can make the map wider or narrower to fit your space. This map would look particularly amazing in a pub, bar, restaurant, office, hotel lobby or other large reception space.

The original map was originally published in 15 pieces and was 2.5 metres tall. If you buy either the 24x18in or 36x24in prints, please be aware that the smallest place names will not legible without a magnifying glass. I would recommend buying at least the 50 inch (127cm) tall map, but it really looks beautiful at the larger sizes.

Smith's colourful geological map was based on his observation that rock strata (layers) could be easily identified by the fossils they contained. He realised that the layers seemed to appear in the same order, and that it was possible to work out where specific rock types would be found across the country.

Smith’s map and ideas were novel and fundamental, laying the founding principles for geological surveys worldwide. His concept of identifying rocks by their fossils is still important today.

If you are looking for a lovely geological map that would work at a smaller size, check out this one by Murchison in 1843, or one of the whole British Isles by Edward Forbes in 1854 (including fossils!)

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 black wood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. On maps up to 36 inches (91cm) the frame is 2-3cm (0.75in 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 and natural). 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.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

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.

Fill in the form below, message me on WhatsApp, or call the workshop on 020 3286 8802

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