Custom Old Map of the Netherlands - Make Your Own 1800s Topographic Bureau Kadaster Map

This is a fully custom map of your hometown, street or postal code in the Netherlands, with your house (or someone else's!) focused in the middle of the map.

Your map will be hand made to order from real Topographisch Bureau maps that were originally published between 1815 all the way up until present day.

The Topographisch Bureau has now been folded into Kadaster, the Dutch land registry and mapping agency.

For these custom maps I will draw upon two main sets of maps. The Algemene Kaart Nederland, or General Map of the Netherlands, was the first complete set of detailed topographical maps of the Netherlands.

The Topografische Militaire Kaart, or Topographic Military Map, first published in the 1850s and onwards to the 1930s, is more detailed has a rather unique appearance. They are the equivalent of the British Ordnance Survey maps.

My personalised maps of the Netherlands are perfect as birthday, housewarming and anniversary gifts. (And of course, as they're printed on paper, you would get bonus points for giving one of these maps for a paper wedding anniversary!)

Please note that these custom maps are only available for locations in the Netherlands.

I can also make custom maps of the UK, US, France, Germany, London, and other cities. Check my custom made map page for more info.

How to order a custom made map of the Netherlands

You need to tell me two things when you order: an address to focus the map on, a preferred year/era for the map. Optionally, you can also tell me if you want a location on the map to be highlighted, and if so, what colour you want me to use.

A variety of sizes are available, all the way from 8x10 inches (20x25cm) up to a map that is a few metres wide. No matter what size you order, the text and map will be sharp and readable.

If you would like different customisation or personalisation, please get in touch before you order. I have been customising maps for decades and can do almost anything you can imagine to make your map truly unique. Likewise, if you're looking for a very large or complex map, get in touch and I'll try my best to accommodate your needs.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45.5x61cm) version of this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving or housewarming gift for anyone who is looking for something more personal.

After you order you will get an email from The Unique Maps Co. with a draft of your personalised map. If you have not got an email within 2 or 3 days, check your spam/junk folder. And if nothing's there, please get in contact with me.

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.