The Histomap of Religion by John B Sparks, 1952: Man's Search for Spiritual Unity

Regular price£89
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Collector's Offer: Save 20% on 2 Save 33% on 3

The Collector’s Offer

Choose two eligible works and receive 20% off both. Choose three and the lowest-priced one is complimentary, a maximum saving of 33%.

Mix and match eligible standard maps and fine-art prints. No code is required; the offer is applied automatically at checkout.

Standard made-to-order configurations are included. Bespoke sizes, personalised designs and commissioned work are excluded.

Need delivery to different addresses? Contact us before ordering.
Collector's Offer: Save 20% on 2 Save 33% on 3

The Collector’s Offer

Choose two eligible works and receive 20% off both. Choose three and the lowest-priced one is complimentary, a maximum saving of 33%.

Mix and match eligible standard maps and fine-art prints. No code is required; the offer is applied automatically at checkout.

Standard made-to-order configurations are included. Bespoke sizes, personalised designs and commissioned work are excluded.

Need delivery to different addresses? Contact us before ordering.

Restored in London Made in the UK
Restored in London • Made in the UK
Free delivery in 2–3 days
90-day money-back returns 10-year guarantee
Free delivery in 2–3 days 90-day money-back returns
Original artist’s work Never AI-generated

Authentic artwork

The artwork we print is faithfully restored from the original source - usually a museum, library or private collection.

We never replace, redraw or invent the artist’s work using generative AI.

Restored from the original 1952 artwork and printed to museum-grade archival standards. Read the story behind this artwork

Perfect for New homes Considered interiors Thoughtful gifts

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Gift message & custom finish

If you want to add a gift message, or a finish (jigsaw, aluminium board, etc.) that is not available here, please request it in the "order note" when you check out.

Every order is custom made, so if you need the size adjusted slightly, or printed on an unusual material, just let us know. We've done thousands of custom orders over the years, so there's (almost) nothing we can't manage.

You can also contact us before you order, if you prefer!

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  • No import duty or hidden fees
  • Need advice? Call us or message on WhatsApp

Chosen by collectors, designers and gift buyers

8,000+ five-star reviews

Explore the captivating intersection of history, art, and philosophy with "The Histomap of Religion," originally crafted by the visionary John B Sparks....

Explore the captivating intersection of history, art, and philosophy with "The Histomap of Religion," originally crafted by the visionary John B Sparks. First published in 1943 and reissued in 1952, this striking antique colour lithograph offers an extraordinary visual journey through "100,000 years of religion on a single page." From ancient primitive cults and rituals to the development of sophisticated modern philosophies, Sparks has masterfully condensed the vast and complex evolution of human belief systems into one compelling and accessible visual narrative.

This fine art print from The Unique Maps Co. presents Sparks' meticulous work reproduced with exceptional clarity and precision. Available on your choice of acid-free archival paper or artist's cotton canvas, each print is crafted to preserve the vivid colours and intricate details of the original lithograph. Choose from a variety of sizes, framing options, and customizations, enabling you to personalize this timeless piece of intellectual art for your home, office, or educational space.

The artist, John B Sparks, is renowned for his innovative approach to visualizing history through compact yet comprehensive charts. His distinctive style combines rigorous scholarship with artistic flair, making complex historical and intellectual developments immediately understandable. Sparks' works, including "The Histomap of History" and "The Histomap of Evolution," have gained lasting acclaim for their groundbreaking format and insightful presentation, appealing to historians, educators, and art enthusiasts alike.

"The Histomap of Religion" stands out for its ambitious scope, elegantly charting the progression and interplay of diverse religious traditions through a continuous logarithmic scale of time. The artwork's thoughtful use of colour—dominated by earthy tones of green, yellow, and warm ochre—guides the viewer's eye seamlessly through millennia, providing an intuitive grasp of the ebb and flow of spiritual ideas and practices across cultures and continents. This thoughtful colour palette and sophisticated design make the chart both visually appealing and intellectually stimulating, inviting repeated contemplation and study.

Perfect as a distinctive gift for history buffs, academics, or lovers of unique vintage artwork, "The Histomap of Religion" offers an enriching addition to any collection. Whether you're commemorating an anniversary, celebrating a graduation, or searching for the ideal housewarming present, this beautiful and thought-provoking print promises to inspire conversations and reflections on humanity's enduring quest for meaning and belief.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind a different size, a different colour, a special frame then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

This artwork is taller than most, which would make it a perfect statement piece in a panelled room, on a gallery wall, or perhaps alongside another tall piece of art or furniture.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. 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 artwork is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The work 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 an art print without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas art and explore the differences between my different finishes.

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.

Every restored art print begins with the original artist’s work—never an AI-generated replacement.

Our London studio works from carefully selected source material from museums, libraries, archives and private collections. We restore age-related damage, faded colour and imperfect reproduction while preserving the artist’s composition, brushwork, line, texture and period character.

We do not use generative AI to redraw, reinterpret or invent the artwork. Digital restoration is used only to recover and reproduce the original work as faithfully as possible.

Once restored, the master artwork is prepared for your chosen size and finish. Your piece is then printed and, where selected, framed close to its delivery destination.

Our giclée art prints use acid-free 200gsm archival matte paper and fade-resistant pigment inks for a rich, museum-quality finish. Framed art prints use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.

Framed canvas and specialist cotton-rag editions are also available. Learn more about our materials and finishes.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

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.