Step into the intricate world of colonial-era cartography with "Borneo," the original title of this vibrant 1901 map by George Franklin Cram. As part of Cram’s renowned "Atlas of the World, Ancient and Modern: New Census Edition," this map offers a detailed window into the heart of Southeast Asia at the dawn of the twentieth century. The island of Borneo is depicted in exquisite color, with every province, boundary, and waterway rendered in crisp detail, capturing the complex interplay of Dutch and British colonial ambitions. The map’s use of hachures brings the island’s dramatic topography to life, while its dual reference to the Greenwich and Washington prime meridians reflects the global context of the age.

George Franklin Cram, a celebrated American mapmaker, was known for his commitment to accuracy and educational value. His atlases were considered essential references in both academic and domestic settings, and this map exemplifies his meticulous approach. Cram’s work was distinguished by its clarity, its comprehensive indexing, and its ability to synthesize new census data with the latest geographical discoveries. In this map of Borneo, Cram provides not just a navigational tool, but a snapshot of a world in flux, where imperial borders and local identities converged on one of the world’s largest and most biodiverse islands.

The map’s political delineations are particularly striking, with the northern regions marked as British North Borneo and Sarawak, and the southern and eastern expanses under Dutch control. This division reflects the broader colonial contest for influence in the Malay Archipelago, and the map’s careful rendering of these boundaries offers a fascinating glimpse into the geopolitics of the era. Each colonial possession is shaded and labeled, while the intricate coastline is edged by the South China Sea, Celebes Sea, Java Sea, Makassar Strait, Karimata Strait, and Sulu Sea—names that evoke centuries of maritime trade and exploration.

Beyond its political boundaries, the map is rich with natural and human geography. Mountain ranges and hilly interiors are depicted with subtle hachures, hinting at the rugged landscapes that have long shaped Borneo’s history and culture. Major rivers and straits are clearly marked, providing vital arteries for commerce and communication. The map’s cities and towns—Kuching, Banjarmasin, Pontianak, Sandakan, and many others—are carefully plotted, their positions reflecting both the colonial administrative centers and the enduring settlements of indigenous peoples. Each name conjures stories of trade, migration, and cultural exchange.

This map is more than a record of borders and settlements; it is a testament to a pivotal moment in Southeast Asian history. The early 1900s saw Borneo at the crossroads of empires, its landscapes shaped by both natural forces and human ambition. Cram’s map, with its blend of artistry and precision, invites the viewer to explore not only the geography of Borneo but also the layers of history embedded in its rivers, mountains, and towns. For collectors and connoisseurs, it offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of the cartographic legacy that helped define our understanding of the world.

Cities and towns on this map

• Malaysia (modern-day):
• Kuching
• Sandakan
• Labuan
• Kudat
• Brunei (Bandar Seri Begawan)
• Indonesia (modern-day):
• Banjarmasin
• Pontianak
• Samarinda
• Sintang
• Martapura
• Barabai
• Sampit
• Kota Waringin
• Pemangkat
• Beraoe (Berau)
• Tanjong Selor
• Amuntai

Notable Features & Landmarks

• South China Sea
• Celebes Sea
• Java Sea
• Makassar Strait
• Karimata Strait
• Sulu Sea
• Clearly marked boundary between British North Borneo and Dutch Borneo
• Sarawak (British possession)
• British North Borneo
• Dutch possessions (southern and eastern parts of Borneo)
• Relief indicated by hachures, highlighting mountainous and hilly regions

Historical and design context

• Original title: Borneo (1901)
• Created by George Franklin Cram, a renowned American mapmaker
• Part of "Cram's Atlas of the World, Ancient and Modern: New Census Edition"
• Detailed depiction of Borneo’s colonial-era political boundaries, including Dutch and British possessions
• Dual reference to Greenwich and Washington prime meridians
• Colorful, detailed political map with clear delineation of administrative boundaries
• Relief shown by hachures, a classic cartographic technique for indicating terrain
• Offers a historical snapshot of Borneo at the turn of the 20th century, during a period of significant colonial influence
• The atlas includes comprehensive indexes, gazetteers, diagrams, statistical charts, and illustrations, enhancing its educational and historical value

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 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) 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.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

Many of our maps and art prints are chosen as thoughtful gifts for homes, offices, studies and meaningful places.

Choose a framed option for the easiest ready-to-hang gift, or choose an unframed print if the recipient may prefer to select their own frame.

We make orders locally in 23 countries around the world, so gifts can often be produced close to the recipient. This helps them arrive faster, travel more safely, and avoid customs or import duty surprises.

• We can deliver directly to the recipient
• Framed pieces arrive ready to hang
• Unframed prints are carefully packed in a strong protective tube
• Almost every order is made locally, for faster, safer gifting
• 90-day returns give the recipient time to decide

If you are not sure what to choose, please contact us. We can help you pick the right map, size, finish or delivery option.

Most orders are made locally and delivered in around 2–3 working days, depending on the product, size and destination.

We print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world, so your order is usually made close to you or your recipient. That means faster delivery, less time in transit, and no customs or import duty surprises.

Personalised and customised pieces usually take an extra 1–2 working days, because we prepare your design and send it to you for approval before printing.

Very large framed orders can take a little longer, as they need extra care in production and delivery.

Every order is carefully packaged: unframed prints are sent in a strong protective tube, while framed pieces are securely packed with protective materials around the frame.

If you need your order by a particular date, please contact us before ordering. We’ll check the best production route and delivery option for your location.

Express delivery is available at checkout for most countries. Next-day delivery is available in the UK, US, Singapore and the UAE.

Your order is covered by our 90-day returns policy and 5-year guarantee.

Read our 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, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

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 and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my 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 order for any reason, contact me and I'll get it fixed ASAP, free of charge. Please see my returns and refund policy for more information.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 5,000 real 5-star reviews. My work has been featured in interior design magazines, on the BBC, and on the walls of dozens of 5-star hotels.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest. I stand by my products and will always make sure you're 100% happy with what you receive.

Almost all of my maps and art prints 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.