Rare Old Map of Cornwall by Samuel Lewis, 1844: St Austell, Truro, Falmouth, Penzance, and Newquay

Immerse yourself in a riveting journey through time with this pristine 1844 map of Cornwall County by Samuel Lewis. This captivating artifact not only offers an engaging insight into Cornwall as it was in the mid-19th century but also serves as a bridge to its vibrant past. It stands as a testament to the roots of Cornwall's modern landscape, including towns that you may not find under the same names today.

Here's a thrilling opportunity to explore this piece of history where you might discover early iterations of modern towns, or in some exciting instances, settlements that may not appear at all on contemporary maps. This map also features an inset map of the Scilly Isles, adding another layer of intrigue to this already fascinating piece.

Settlements within the historical boundaries of Cornwall

• St Austell: Founded in the 12th century. Notable for its china clay industry.
• Truro: Established as a town in the 12th century. Known for Truro Cathedral and as Cornwall's administrative center.
• Falmouth: Chartered in 1661. Famous for its deep natural harbor.
• Penzance: Received market rights in 1332. Gateway to the Isles of Scilly.
• Newquay: Known as a fishing village in the 15th century. Famous as a surfing destination.
• Camborne: Mentioned in the Domesday Book, 1086. Historic mining town.
• Redruth: Known to exist since the 12th century. Another center of the Cornish mining industry.
• Saltash: Referred to as a market town in the 12th century. Known for the Royal Albert Bridge.
• Bodmin: Recorded in the Domesday Book, 1086. Home to Bodmin Jail and Bodmin Moor.
• St Ives: Mentioned in records from the 5th century. Notable as an artists' haven.
• Liskeard: Mentioned in the Domesday Book, 1086. Gateway to Bodmin Moor.
• Launceston: Recorded in the Domesday Book, 1086. Historic capital of Cornwall.
• Helston: Known as a town since at least 1086. Famous for the Furry Dance.
• Porthleven: Established as a harbor in the early 19th century. Known for its iconic clock tower.
• Torpoint: Known from the 18th century. Famous for its ferry service to Plymouth.
• Hayle: Known as a settlement from the early 18th century. Notable for its industrial heritage.
• Wadebridge: Known as a town since the 15th century. Renowned for the Royal Cornwall Show.
• St Just: Recorded in the 15th century. Famous for its mining history.
• Padstow: Known as a port since the 10th century. Renowned for its food festival.
• Bude: Known as a harbor town since the 16th century. Notable for its beaches.
• Callington: Mentioned in the 7th century. Famous for its mural trail.
• Lostwithiel: Known from the 12th century. Once the capital of Cornwall.
• St Mawes: Known since the 16th century. Famous for St Mawes Castle.
• Looe: Known since the 13th century. Notable as a fishing town.
• Fowey: Known since the 14th century. Famous for its literary festival.
• St Agnes: Known since the 15th century. Rich mining heritage.
• St Columb Major: Recorded in the 9th century. Known for its historic Hurling the Silver Ball.
• Perranporth: Known since the 19th century. Renowned for its wide sandy beach.
• Tintagel: Mentioned in the 12th century. Associated with the legends of King Arthur.
• Port Isaac: Known since the 14th century. Known for the TV series 'Doc Martin'.

Notable natural attractions in Cornwall

Land's End, the most westerly point of mainland England, the Eden Project, an ecosystem complex and tourist attraction, and Bodmin Moor, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Historical events in Cornwall (1800-1850)

During the period 1800-1850, Cornwall was buzzing with activity, especially due to the mining boom. The area became globally recognized for its production of tin and copper. The Royal Geological Society of Cornwall was established in 1814, further emphasizing the significance of mining and geological studies in this region. The founding of the Cornwall Railway in 1846 was another significant event, marking a new era of transportation in the county.

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 all sizes: 8x10in (20.5x25.5cm), 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 24x36in (61x91.5cm), 30x40in (76x101.5cm) and 37x50in (94x127cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 50in (127cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45.5x61cm) 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 main collection of UK and Ireland maps.

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.