Rare Old OS Map of Swansea, South Wales by Bartholomew, 1901: Neath, Carmarthen, Brecon, Tawe, Brecon Beacons

Sheet 27 - Swansea, a distinguished creation by the renowned cartographer J.G. Bartholomew in 1901, stands as a testament to the artistry and precision of early 20th-century mapmaking. This map, part of Bartholomew's flagship series, was meticulously designed to cater to cyclists and tourists, offering a detailed and visually appealing representation of the region. The half-inch to the mile scale (1:126,720) ensures that every feature, from the smallest village to the most prominent natural landmarks, is depicted with clarity and accuracy, making it a prized possession for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Bartholomew's innovative use of colour to represent landscape relief is particularly striking in this map. The subtle gradation of colour bands to indicate different elevations brings the physical geography of South Wales to life. From the verdant lowlands to the rugged peaks of the Black Mountain and the Brecon Beacons, the map captures the diverse topography of the region with an elegance that is both informative and aesthetically pleasing. This technique, based on a reduced Ordnance Survey map of the same period, showcases Bartholomew's commitment to blending scientific accuracy with artistic beauty.

The map is rich in geographical features, with major rivers such as the Tawe, Neath, Towy, Loughor, and Afan intricately woven into the landscape. These waterways, vital to the region's history and development, are depicted with precision, highlighting their courses through towns and countryside alike. Coastal features like Swansea Bay, Carmarthen Bay, and the Bristol Channel are also prominently displayed, providing a comprehensive view of the region's maritime geography. Notable coastal landmarks such as Mumbles Head and Worm's Head add to the map's allure, offering glimpses into the natural beauty that defines this part of Wales.

Historic sites and natural landmarks further enrich the map's narrative. Castles like Carreg Cennen and Kidwelly stand as silent sentinels of the past, their locations marked with care to guide the modern explorer. The inclusion of forests such as Brechfa and lakes like Llyn y Fan Fach adds depth to the map, illustrating the region's natural diversity. The railway lines and main roads, essential for understanding the connectivity and development of the area during the early 1900s, are meticulously plotted, reflecting the burgeoning infrastructure of the time.

The towns and cities depicted on the map, including Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot, Llanelli, and Carmarthen, are arranged with a keen eye for detail, showcasing the human settlements that have shaped the region's history. Each settlement, from the bustling city of Swansea to the quaint town of Kidwelly, is a testament to the vibrant communities that have thrived in this landscape. This map not only serves as a geographical guide but also as a historical document, capturing a snapshot of South Wales at the turn of the 20th century, making it an invaluable addition to any collection.

Cities and towns on this map

• Glamorgan:
• Swansea (largest modern-day population)
• Neath
• Port Talbot
• Pontardawe
• Carmarthenshire:
• Llanelli
• Carmarthen
• Ammanford
• Kidwelly
• Llandovery
• Brecknockshire:
• Brecon
• Ystradgynlais
• Sennybridge

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Rivers:
• River Tawe
• River Neath
• River Towy
• River Loughor
• River Afan
• Bays and Channels:
• Swansea Bay
• Carmarthen Bay
• Bristol Channel
• Mountains and Hills:
• Black Mountain
• Brecon Beacons (partially visible)
• Forests and Woodlands:
• Brechfa Forest
• Railways:
• Various railway lines connecting major towns and cities
• Notable Roads:
• Main roads connecting Swansea to surrounding areas
• Coastal Features:
• Mumbles Head
• Worm's Head
• Historic Sites:
• Carreg Cennen Castle
• Kidwelly Castle
• Lakes and Reservoirs:
• Llyn y Fan Fach

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Sheet 27 - Swansea
• Scale and purpose: A clear, attractive, and colourful map at the half-inch to the mile scale (1:126,720). These maps were popular with cyclists and tourists, and became Bartholomew's flagship series.
• Date of creation: 1901
• Mapmaker or publisher: Created by J.G. Bartholomew, a notable cartographer known for his innovative and detailed maps. Bartholomew's maps were highly regarded for their accuracy and aesthetic appeal.
• Themes and topics shown on the map:
• Political boundaries: Detailed representation of political divisions in the area.
• Physical landscape: Use of different layers of colour to represent landscape relief, with a subtle and innovative gradation of colour bands used to show land at different heights.
• Countries and regions shown: Covers the region around Swansea, including parts of South Wales.
• Design and style: Based on a reduced Ordnance Survey map from the same period, the map is known for its distinct use of colour to indicate elevation and landscape relief.
• Historical significance: Reflects the cartographic style and techniques of the early 20th century, providing insights into the geography and political landscape of the time.

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.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 20in (50cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) 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.