Rare Old Map of England & Wales by Tallis, 1851: Railways, Landmarks, Illustrations

Step into the rich tapestry of mid-19th century England and Wales with this exquisite map titled "England and Wales," crafted by the renowned cartographers Tallis & Rapkin in 1851. This map is a testament to the meticulous artistry and detailed craftsmanship that defined the Victorian era of cartography. The map is not just a geographical representation but a visual feast, adorned with intricate illustrations and vignettes that bring to life the bustling cities, serene harbors, and verdant countryside of the time.

John Tallis, the mastermind behind this map, was celebrated for his ability to blend precision with beauty. His works are distinguished by their decorative borders and detailed engravings, making them highly sought after by collectors and historians alike. This map is no exception, featuring the Royal Seal at the top and symbolic drawings representing the arts, science, farming, and shipping. These elements not only enhance the map's aesthetic appeal but also provide a glimpse into the cultural and economic milieu of 1850s England and Wales.

The map meticulously outlines the counties of England and Wales, each delineated in vibrant colors that highlight the political boundaries of the era. Major cities such as London, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester are prominently featured, reflecting their significance as industrial and cultural hubs. The inclusion of smaller towns and settlements like Oxford, Doncaster, and Sunderland adds depth and context, offering a comprehensive view of the region's urban landscape.

Beyond the cities and towns, the map also captures the natural beauty and geographical diversity of England and Wales. The intricate detailing of rivers, coastal lines, and bodies of water such as the North Sea, Irish Sea, and English Channel showcases the cartographer's skill in depicting physical geography. The illustrations of landmarks like the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour and Sunderland Bridge further enrich the map, providing visual anchors that connect the viewer to the historical and cultural landmarks of the time.

This map is more than just a navigational tool; it is a historical document that encapsulates the essence of an era. The decorative border, embellished with illustrations of London, Oxford, and Newcastle upon Tyne, serves as a frame that holds within it a wealth of historical and cultural information. Whether you are a collector, a history enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates fine art, this map offers a unique window into the past, allowing you to explore the rich heritage of England and Wales from the comfort of your home.

Cities and towns on this map

• England:
• London
• Birmingham
• Liverpool
• Manchester
• Sheffield
• Leeds
• Bristol
• Leicester
• Coventry
• Kingston upon Hull
• Bradford
• Newcastle upon Tyne
• Sunderland
• Wolverhampton
• Southampton
• Portsmouth
• Nottingham
• Plymouth
• Stoke-on-Trent
• Derby
• Oxford

• Doncaster

• Wales:

• Cardiff
• Swansea
• Newport
• Wrexham

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Illustrations:
• London
• Oxford
• The race ground at Doncaster
• The entrance to Portsmouth Harbour
• Sunderland Bridge
• Newcastle upon Tyne
• Landmarks:
• Royal Seal at the top of the map
• Borders:
• County borders outlined in different colors
• Bodies of water:
• North Sea
• Irish Sea
• English Channel
• Bristol Channel

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: England and Wales
• Creation date: 1851
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Tallis & Rapkin
• Interesting context about the mapmaker: John Tallis was a renowned cartographer and publisher known for his detailed and decorative maps during the mid-19th century. His maps were often embellished with intricate illustrations and vignettes.
• Topics and themes shown on the map:
• Political boundaries: Counties of England and Wales are outlined in different colors.
• Physical features: Depicts physical geography, including rivers and coastal lines.
• Illustrations of cities and harbors: Includes detailed drawings of notable locations.
• Royal Seal and symbolic drawings: The border features the Royal Seal and drawings representing arts, science, farming, and shipping.
• Countries and regions shown on the map: England and Wales
• Design or style of the map:
• Decorative border: The map has a decorative border adorned with intricate illustrations and the Royal Seal.
• Illustrations: Features illustrations of London, Oxford, the race ground at Doncaster, the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour, Sunderland Bridge, and Newcastle upon Tyne.
• Historical significance/context:
• Mid-19th century cartography: Reflects the detailed and artistic style of map-making during the Victorian era.
• Representation of counties: Provides insight into the political boundaries and major cities of England and Wales during the 1850s.

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 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

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.