Rare Old Map of 'West Canada' by Tallis, 1851: Toronto, Niagara Falls, Lake Erie, Kingston, Vignettes

Discover the captivating allure of "West Canada," an exquisite map crafted in 1851 by the renowned cartographer John Tallis. Known for his intricate designs and artistic flair, Tallis was one of the last great decorative mapmakers. His work is celebrated for its detailed vignettes and ornamental borders, capturing the essence of the regions depicted. This map, featured in R. Montgomery Martin's Illustrated Atlas, is a testament to Tallis's dedication to blending cartographic precision with artistic beauty.

The map offers a detailed exploration of the Great Lakes region, highlighting the counties and townships of what is now Ontario, Canada. It showcases the majestic bodies of water, including Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, and Lake Erie, which are integral to the area's geography and history. The meticulous depiction of borders and townships reflects the political landscape of the time, offering a glimpse into the past with remarkable clarity.

In addition to its geographical features, the map is adorned with vignettes that celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of the region. From the bustling town of Kingston to the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls, each illustration tells a story of the area's rich history and natural beauty. The presence of Native American encampments and the iconic beaver further enriches the narrative, providing insight into the lives and landscapes of the era.

The map also serves as a window into the historical significance of the settlements it portrays. Cities like Toronto, Hamilton, and Kingston are marked, each with its own unique story and development over time. These towns, some of which have grown into major urban centers, offer a fascinating look at the evolution of human settlement in the region.

John Tallis's "West Canada" is more than just a map; it is a piece of history, art, and culture. Its intricate design and detailed representation of the Great Lakes region make it a prized possession for collectors and history enthusiasts alike. This map not only captures the physical landscape but also the spirit of a bygone era, making it a timeless treasure for those who appreciate the beauty of historical cartography.

Cities and towns on this map

• Toronto
• Hamilton
• Kingston
• London
• Niagara
• Brantford
• Guelph
• Belleville
• Cobourg
• Brockville
• Cornwall
• Perth
• Goderich
• Simcoe
• Chatham
• St. Thomas
• Woodstock
• Sarnia
• Owen Sound

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Illustrations:
• Vignette of Kingston
• Vignette of Niagara Falls
• Vignette of Native American encampment

• Vignette of a beaver

• Bodies of water:

• Lake Huron
• Lake Ontario

• Lake Erie

• Borders:

• Detailed county and township borders

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: West Canada
• Creation date: 1851
• Mapmaker/Publisher: John Tallis, known for his decorative maps with detailed vignettes.
• Design/Style: Highly detailed with decorative borders and vignettes.
• Historical significance: Tallis was one of the last great decorative mapmakers.
• Themes: Highlights political and physical features, including cultural and natural scenes.
• Regions shown: Great Lakes region, including parts of present-day Ontario, Canada.

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 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.

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.