Rare Old OS Map of Birmingham, Leicester by Bartholomew, 1901: Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Midlands

Step into the world of early 20th-century cartography with "Sheet 18 - Birmingham, Leicester," a masterpiece created by the esteemed J.G. Bartholomew in 1901. This map, part of Bartholomew's flagship Half-Inch to the Mile series, is a testament to the era's burgeoning interest in cycling and tourism. With a scale of 1:126,720, it offers an intricate view of the landscape, meticulously detailing the political and physical features of the British Isles. Bartholomew, a Scottish cartographer renowned for his innovative techniques, utilized a reduced Ordnance Survey map to ensure unparalleled accuracy and detail.

The map's design is a marvel of cartographic art, employing a sophisticated gradation of color bands to represent landscape relief. This method not only enhances the visual appeal but also provides a clear understanding of the terrain's elevation. The subtle interplay of colors brings to life the rolling hills, valleys, and plains, making it an invaluable resource for cyclists and tourists of the time. The map's clarity and attractiveness have made it a beloved piece among collectors and history enthusiasts alike.

Geographically, the map spans the regions around Birmingham and Leicester, capturing the essence of early 20th-century England. It features an extensive network of rivers, including the River Trent, River Soar, and River Avon, as well as significant canals like the Grand Union Canal and Coventry Canal. The map also highlights notable forests and woodlands such as Charnwood Forest and Sherwood Forest, adding a layer of natural beauty to the already detailed landscape. The inclusion of these features underscores the map's comprehensive approach to depicting the region's geography.

Historically, this map is a window into a transformative period in British history. It marks the industrial prowess of the Black Country and the historical significance of sites like Bosworth Field, the site of the Battle of Bosworth. The map also showcases landmarks such as Kenilworth Castle and natural features like Cannock Chase and the Lickey Hills. These elements provide a rich tapestry of historical and natural landmarks, offering a glimpse into the past and the events that shaped the region.

The cities and towns detailed on this map, from the bustling industrial hub of Birmingham to the historic market town of Leicester, paint a vivid picture of early 20th-century urban and rural life. The map includes settlements across multiple counties, including Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and the West Midlands. Each town and city, from Coventry and Nuneaton to Derby and Nottingham, is meticulously plotted, reflecting the intricate network of human settlements that characterized the region. This map is not just a navigational tool but a historical document that captures the essence of a bygone era.

Cities and towns on this map

• Warwickshire:
• Birmingham
• Coventry
• Nuneaton
• Rugby
• Leamington Spa
• Warwick
• Stratford-upon-Avon
• Kenilworth
• Bedworth

• Atherstone

• Leicestershire:

• Leicester
• Loughborough
• Hinckley
• Melton Mowbray
• Market Harborough
• Coalville
• Ashby-de-la-Zouch
• Wigston
• Lutterworth

• Shepshed

• Staffordshire:

• Tamworth
• Burton upon Trent
• Lichfield
• Cannock
• Rugeley
• Stone

• Uttoxeter

• Derbyshire:

• Derby
• Swadlincote

• Ashbourne

• Nottinghamshire:

• Nottingham
• Mansfield
• Beeston
• West Bridgford

• Hucknall

• West Midlands:

• Walsall
• Wolverhampton
• Dudley
• Solihull
• West Bromwich
• Stourbridge
• Sutton Coldfield
• Halesowen

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Rivers and Waterways:
• River Trent
• River Soar
• River Tame
• River Avon
• Grand Union Canal

• Coventry Canal

• Forests and Woodlands:

• Charnwood Forest

• Sherwood Forest (partial)

• Hills and Elevated Areas:

• Lickey Hills

• Clent Hills

• Railways:

• Extensive railway network connecting major towns and cities

• Roads:

• Major roads and highways of the period

• Parks and Estates:

• Bradgate Park

• Sutton Park

• Historical Sites:

• Bosworth Field (site of the Battle of Bosworth)

• Kenilworth Castle

• Industrial Areas:

• Black Country (noted for its industrial heritage)

• Natural Features:

• Cannock Chase
• Peak District (partial)

Historical and design context

• Map Name: Sheet 18 - Birmingham, Leicester
• Scale: Half-inch to the mile (1:126,720)
• Purpose: Popular with cyclists and tourists, this series became Bartholomew's flagship.
• Creation Date: 1901
• Mapmaker/Publisher: J.G. Bartholomew
• Context about the mapmaker: J.G. Bartholomew was a renowned Scottish cartographer known for his innovative and detailed maps. His works were highly regarded for their accuracy and aesthetic appeal.
• Topics and Themes:
• Political and Physical Details: The map shows political boundaries and physical landscapes.
• Landscape Relief: Different layers of color represent landscape relief, with gradation of color bands showing land at different heights.
• Countries and Regions Shown:
• England: Specifically the regions around Birmingham and Leicester.
• Design/Style:
• Color Gradation: Innovative use of color bands to depict elevation.
• Detailing: Based on a reduced Ordnance Survey map from the same period, ensuring high accuracy and detail.
• Historical Significance:
• Tourism and Cycling: Reflects the growing popularity of cycling and tourism in the early 20th century.
• Cartographic Innovation: Showcases the advancements in map-making techniques and the detailed representation of physical geography.

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 20in (50cm) 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.