This one-of-a-kind map of Wales, compiled in 1580 by the father of British cartography Christopher Saxton, was the first accurate map of many parts of Wales.
Curiously the map was never published, but many parts of it were used in his larger map of England & Wales, which you can find here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/878286466/old-map-of-england-wales-1579-by-saxton
This map is exceedingly rare - just one copy exists - and is currently owned by the National Library of Wales.
Established in 1984, The Unique Maps Co. sources rare original maps from around the world, and then lovingly restores them at a workshop in London. I guarantee that you cannot buy prints of these old maps, at this high quality, anywhere else.
Most of Wales' most notable towns, villages and cities are already clearly visible in this old map - though some towns and counties had slightly different names back then, like Brecon used to be called Breknok, and Pembrokeshire used to be Penbrokshire.
Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Denbigh, Carnarvon, Carmarthen, Bangor, Abergavenny, Hay on Wye - they're all here, along with their counties, rivers, villages, mountains and more. This is a wonderfully detailed map of Wales.
Rather cutely, instead of an attempt at drawing the relief and topography of Wales, there are instead smaller and larger brown lumps that represent hills and mountains.
This map would certainly make a nice birthday or Christmas or housewarming gift for anyone in Wales, or someone who has Wales close to their heart.
You can order the map itself, or you can order a framed version. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that really makes our maps pop out when on a wall. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame. We use super-clear perspex in our frames - it's less reflective than glass and better for transport. There are also some very large sizes of this map available, which really look spectacular - if you have a big space to present the map, such as a hotel, office, bar, pub, or other big hospitality space that needs decorating.
