Zoological Geography, issued by Alexander Keith Johnston, F.R.G.S., in 1856, is a consummate Victorian union of science and art. Conceived as the second edition of a pioneering plate first published in 1848, it channels the mid-19th century’s new ambition to map life itself. Johnston translates the burgeoning discipline of zoological geography into a global portrait of avifauna, tracing where birds live—and why—across climates and continents. The plate’s thematic focus rests on the world’s birds, set against a disciplined geographic scaffold that makes patterns of distribution legible at a glance. In an age poised on the threshold of modern biogeography, Johnston’s work distilled scattered observations into a lucid, continent-spanning narrative.

Visually, the composition commands both hemispheres, drawing the eye across North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia as latitudinal lines guide the reader through shifting faunal zones. Numerous hand-colored illustrations animate the surface, arranging emblematic species by “New World” and “Old World” typologies so that comparisons emerge naturally. Johnston’s elegant typography and careful annotations pinpoint names and ranges, allowing species and geography to converse. The lithographic base is enhanced with hand-applied color, creating subtle, readable strata that elevate the informational load without sacrificing clarity—an exemplar of 19th-century thematic cartography at its most assured.

At the heart of the plate lies its analytic core: lines of distribution that march along parallels to reveal how latitude governs presence and absence. A detailed chart at the lower margin distills the geographical distribution of European birds, transforming raw lists into a meaningful regional matrix. Here, Johnston turns taxonomy into geography, linking species to nations, coasts, and interior belts, and letting the viewer trace the edges of ranges where habitats and climates shift. The result is a remarkably modern data visualization, anticipatory of later ecological mapping, and immediately useful to naturalists, travelers, and scholars working across national borders.

Vertical space receives equal attention. The Alps are explicitly highlighted to demonstrate altitudinal differentiation—how a mountain’s flanks sort birds into ecological tiers as temperatures fall and vegetation changes. Johnston’s rendering of elevation and habitat subtly invokes the Humboldtian idea of life zones, here expressed through avian turnover with ascent. By placing a European mountain range at center stage, he offers a controlled experiment in geography: a compact theater where climate, topography, and species composition interact, allowing readers to compare upland faunas to the broader latitudinal bands that govern continental distributions.

Zoological Geography belongs to Johnston’s celebrated program of thematic mapping, which helped codify the young science of biogeography for a wide audience. Its combination of printed and hand color, disciplined line work, and crystalline labeling bespeaks a studio attuned to both accuracy and beauty. Beyond its aesthetic grace, the plate testifies to a moment when accumulating reports from explorers and ornithologists were first synthesized at a planetary scale. For the collector, it offers a mesmerizing artifact of Victorian scholarship—an object in which the world’s birds are not merely pictured but explained, their wanderings organized by the grand architectures of latitude, altitude, and place.

Countries and regions on this map

• Continents: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia
• Regions: Specific European countries featured in the chart of birds, and significant areas indicated through the distribution lines.
• Mountain Ranges: The Alps are specifically highlighted on the map.

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Illustrations: Numerous hand-colored illustrations of various bird species are present, categorized as types of birds from the New World and the Old World.
• Distribution Lines: Lines indicating the geographical distribution of different bird species along various latitudes.
• Charts: A detailed chart at the bottom shows the geographical distribution of European bird species.
• Mountains and Altitudes: The Alps highlighted in relation to avian diversity.
• Labels and Annotations: Various labels identify specific bird species and their distribution across the depicted regions.

Historical and design context

• Title of the Map: Zoological Geography
• Created By: Alexander Keith Johnston (A.K. Johnston, F.R.G.S.)
• Year of Creation: 1856 (Second edition; first edition published in 1848)
• Map Techniques: The map features hand-colored lithographs, integrating both hand and printed colors, demonstrating the craftsmanship of 19th-century cartography.
• Aesthetic Features: The physical design includes a combination of red leather and dark teal cloth for the cover, with the word "Atlas" embossed in gold on the spine, emphasizing its scholarly value.
• Important Context: Johnston was well-regarded for his contributions to geographical literature, and this atlas reflected advancements in scientific understanding of zoological geography during the 19th century.

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 70in (180cm). 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 10-year guarantee.

Read our full delivery and local production guide

Our standard frame is a gallery-style black ash hardwood frame, with a simple, modern look. It is approximately 20mm (0.8in) wide. You can also view some lovely customer photos of framed maps and art.

We use super-clear acrylic glazing, also known as Perspex or Acrylite, instead of traditional glass. It is lighter, safer, and has lower reflectivity, giving the artwork a clearer, cleaner appearance.

Six standard frame colours are available at no extra cost: black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white, and antique gold. Custom framing and mounting/matting is also available for customers looking for something more specific.

Most maps, art prints, and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced wooden box frame, and then float the piece within a wooden outer frame. The finished result is beautifully presented, with no glazing between you and the artwork.

All frames are supplied ready to hang, with either string or brackets fitted to the back. Very large frames will include heavy-duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

We can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag, and other materials.

If you would prefer to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read our size guide before ordering.

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.