Rare Old Map of Spain & Portugal by Speed, 1626: Madrid, Lisbon, Gibraltar, Biscayen Sea, Cultural Life

"Spayne Newly described, with many adictions, both in the attires of the people & the Setuations of their cheifest Cityes" is a masterful creation by the renowned English cartographer John Speed, dating back to 1626. This map is not just a geographical representation but a vibrant tapestry that intertwines the cultural and urban elements of the Iberian Peninsula. Published in London by Bassett & Chiswell in 1676, it reflects the meticulous and decorative approach that Speed was celebrated for. The map provides a rich visual narrative of Spain and Portugal, capturing the essence of early modern cartography with its detailed depiction of the region's geography and the colorful attire of its people.

John Speed's map is a window into the 17th century, showcasing the geographical features of Spain and Portugal with an unparalleled level of detail. The map highlights the prominent bodies of water such as the Biscayen Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Bay of Biscay, which were crucial for trade and exploration during that era. It also meticulously outlines the borders between Spain and Portugal and the various regions within Spain, providing a clear understanding of the political landscape of the time. The inclusion of mountain ranges and other natural features adds depth and realism to the map, making it a valuable resource for historians and enthusiasts alike.

One of the most captivating aspects of this map is its portrayal of cultural life through the decorative costumes of the Spanish and Portuguese populations. The borders of the map are adorned with illustrations of traditional attire, offering a visual catalogue of the diverse clothing styles that were prevalent in the 17th century. This artistic choice not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the map but also serves as a historical record of the cultural variety within the Iberian Peninsula. The inclusion of these costumes reflects the broader trend in 17th-century cartography to capture and celebrate the cultural richness of the regions depicted.

The top border of the map features views of nine prominent Iberian cities, including Madrid, Sevilla, Lisbona, Valladolid, Granada, Toledo, Barcelona, Burgos, and Cadiz. These cityscapes provide a snapshot of the urban vitality and architectural styles of the time, offering a glimpse into the bustling life of these important centers. Each city is meticulously illustrated, showcasing its unique characteristics and significance. This artistic inclusion underscores the importance of urban development in the early modern period and highlights the role these cities played in the cultural and economic life of the Iberian Peninsula.

John Speed's map is more than just a geographical document; it is a testament to the complexities and achievements of early modern mapmaking. It embodies a comprehensive understanding of the Iberian Peninsula, blending geography, culture, and urbanism into a single, cohesive work. The map's detailed depiction of cities, towns, landmarks, and natural features provides valuable insights into the historical context of the region. As a piece of cartographic history, it stands as a remarkable example of the skill and artistry that defined John Speed's work, offering a fascinating glimpse into the world of 17th-century Europe.

Cities and towns on this map

• Spain:
• Madrid
• Barcelona
• Valencia
• Sevilla
• Zaragoza
• Málaga
• Murcia
• Palma
• Las Palmas
• Bilbao
• Alicante
• Córdoba
• Valladolid
• Vigo
• Gijón
• Granada
• A Coruña
• Vitoria-Gasteiz
• Burgos
• Santander
• Toledo
• Cadiz
• Salamanca
• Logroño
• Albacete
• Huelva
• Badajoz
• Tarragona
• Lleida
• Jaen
• Lugo
• Pontevedra
• Palencia
• Guadalajara
• Segovia
• Avila
• Cuenca
• Soria
• Teruel
• Huesca
• Zamora
• Cáceres
• Ciudad Real
• Almería
• Gerona
• Orense
• Melilla
• Ceuta
• Portugal:
• Lisbon (Lisbona)
• Porto
• Braga
• Coimbra
• Aveiro
• Faro
• Évora
• Leiria
• Viseu
• Setúbal
• Viana do Castelo
• Funchal
• Ponta Delgada

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Illustrations:
• Decorative costumes along the left and right borders.
• Cityscapes of nine Iberian cities along the top border.
• Landmarks:
• The Straits of Gibraltar
• Bodies of water:
• The Biscayen Sea
• The Mediterranean Sea
• The Bay of Biscay
• The Bay of Cadiz
• The Bay of Algar
• The Bay of Veara
• The Bay of Xucar
• Borders:
• Borders between Spain and Portugal
• Borders between different regions within Spain
• Mountains:
• Various mountain ranges illustrated within Spain and Portugal (not individually labeled)

Historical and design context

• Rendered in meticulous detail and vibrant hand color.
• Exemplary work of famed cartographer John Speed.
• Published in London by Bassett & Chiswell in 1676, though dating from Speed's 1626 cartographic output.
• Underscores the confluence of geography, culture, and urban development during the early modern period.
• John Speed was a renowned English cartographer known for his meticulous and decorative approach to mapmaking.
• His work provides valuable insight into the geographic knowledge and aesthetic values of the 17th century.
• Geographical features of Spain and Portugal.
• Attires of the people, showcasing the cultural life in the Iberian Peninsula.
• Urban development with cityscapes of prominent Iberian cities.
• Cultural variety through decorative costumes.
• "Carte-a-figure" map style with decorative costumes along the borders.
• Views of nine prominent Iberian cities in the top border.
• Richly colored and detailed.
• Offers an intriguing blend of geography, culture, and urbanism.
• Stands as a testament to the complexities of early modern mapmaking.
• Embodies a comprehensive understanding of the Iberian Peninsula during the era.

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 90in (230cm). 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.

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.