Cambridge Tote Bag with historic map of Cambridge (Cantebrigia) and its old colleges in 1575 by George Braun
Cambridge Tote Bag with historic map of Cambridge (Cantebrigia) and its old colleges in 1575 by George Braun
Cambridge Tote Bag with historic map of Cambridge (Cantebrigia) and its old colleges in 1575 by George Braun
Cambridge Tote Bag with historic map of Cambridge (Cantebrigia) and its old colleges in 1575 by George Braun
Cambridge Tote Bag with historic map of Cambridge (Cantebrigia) and its old colleges in 1575 by George Braun
Cambridge Tote Bag with historic map of Cambridge (Cantebrigia) and its old colleges in 1575 by George Braun
Cambridge Tote Bag with historic map of Cambridge (Cantebrigia) and its old colleges in 1575 by George Braun

Cambridge Tote Bag with historic map of Cambridge (Cantebrigia) and its old colleges in 1575 by George Braun

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Handmade in the UK
Unique Maps Co. Exclusive
  • Free worldwide 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.

    Learn more about delivery times

  • 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.

    Learn more about tree planting & sustainability

  • Returns & exchanges accepted

    30 days to return and refund

    Products can be returned within 30 days for a full refund, or exchange for another product.

    For personalised and customised items, we may offer you a non-expiring gift card, as we cannot resell your personalised order.

    If you have any questions, get in touch. For more information, see our full returns & exchanges policy.

  • Personalised customer care

    Customer Care

    At Unique Maps Co., we think that the best personalised maps begin with personalised customer care.

    Our personalised support enhances your shopping experience, addresses any concerns, provides expert advice, and makes the process seamless and enjoyable.

    If you have any questions at all, please just get in touch. We can support you on the phone, by email and WhatsApp. Usually we will respond within minutes, 24/7.

    Try it out! Contact us now.

  • 5 stars 'Excellent' rating on Trustpilot
Map size guide

What size should I buy?

If you have the space and the budget, I recommend buying a map that is 16x20 inches (40x50cm) or larger. Most maps look better at larger sizes because of the huge amount of detail on them.

When you buy the smallest size (usually 12in or 30cm), the text can be quite small. I recommend contacting me if you want to make sure that a map looks good at a specific size. I will usually respond within a few minutes.

Some maps mention a 'best size'. In this case, the map usually contains labels that are very hard to read at smaller sizes.

Because all orders are handmade, every map can be made at a custom size. Please provide the custom size in the 'order notes' at checkout. Or contact me before you order.

To help you pick the right size, here are some of my 'standard' map sizes next to each other, in portrait and landscape orientation.

Unique Maps size guide landscape
12x16in (30x40cm) 16x20in (40x50cm) 18x24in (45x60cm) 24x36in (60x90cm)

 

Unique Maps size guide portrait maps
12x16in (30x40cm) 16x20in (40x50cm) 18x24in (45x60cm) 24x36in (60x90cm)

Buying unframed maps

If you buy an unframed old map from me, and plan to frame it yourself, please read this page for important information about framing your map.

General size guidelines

Generally, the size you see on the shop is exactly accurate.

So, for example, if you buy an 18x24 inch map, you should buy a frame that 'fits artwork' that is 18x24 inches. If you order a 60x90cm map, you should buy a frame that 'fits artwork' that is 60x90cm.

If you see a map that is an unusual size, such as 24x11 inches (or 61x29cm), I strongly recommend you wait for the map to arrive before making or ordering a frame online. These maps can vary in size by a few millimetres, and it's very frustrating if they don't fit into your frame!

If you need a map that is an exact size in centimetres or inches, please contact me

Large maps

Please contact me if you are planning to frame a large map (over 40 inches or 100cm) yourself.

If you are buying your own frame, I recommend you wait for the frame to arrive, confirm the internal size of the frame, and then tell me the exact size that you need. Measure the width and height of the board on the back of the frame to get an accurate measurement.

Alternatively, buy the map from me, measure it when it arrives, and then order a frame to fit.

For large maps I can customise the size of your map for free.

If you are taking your map to a local framer, they will measure the map for you and then make the frame to fit.

Maps in "A" paper sizes

If you are looking for an A size that is not available on my shop, such as 2A0 or A4, please contact me for pricing.

Color
Custom size and finish

Custom size and finish

If you are looking for a size or finish that is not available here, please request it in the "order note" when you check out.

Every order is custom made, so if you need the size adjusted slightly, or printed on an unusual material, just let us know. We've done thousands of custom orders over the years, so there's (almost) nothing we can't manage.

You can also contact us before you order, if you prefer!

(corkboard, jigsaw, rolled canvas, foamboard, etc.) available at checkout

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.


As seen in
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This is a designer Cambridge tote bag with a rare, full colour map of Cambridge beautifully printed on it with dye sublimation. This map of Cambridge (alternatively known as Cantebrigia) was created by George Braun and engraved by Frans Hogenberg way back in 1575.

You can see that many of the oldest Cambridge colleges are already on this map, including Trinity, Kings, Queens, Clare, Peterhouse, Caius, St John's, Magdalene and Christ's.

Other lovely landmarks are visible, like the King's Ditch (an old boundary that no longer exists), the river Cam of course, and lots of churches.

This is a lovely, highly detailed map printed on a tote bag that would make a great gift for someone who lives in or went to university in Cambridge. A full colour map like this is exceedingly rare from the 1500s.

• 100% spun polyester fabric
• Bag 15" x 15" (38.1cm x 38.1cm)
• Capacity – 2.6 US gal (10l)
• Maximum weight limit – 44lbs (20kg)
• Dual handles 100% natural cotton bull denim
• Handle length 11.8" (30 cm), width 1" (2.5cm)

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.

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 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.

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