This old and exceedingly rare map shows France, Belgium (then part of the Netherlands) and small parts of England, France, Germany and Spain as they were in the very early 1600s. Created by one of Britain's most famed mapmakers, John Speed, the map was originally published in the twin atlases "The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine" and "A Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World."
This map looks great at all sizes: 12x16 inches (31x41cm), 18x24 inches (45.5x61cm), and 24x30 inches (61x76cm), but it looks even better when printed large.
I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 56x70 inches (142x178cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.
The model in the listing images is holding the 20x16 inch (50x40cm) version of this map.
The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.I also have
this same map in its handcoloured form. Depending on your room’s aesthetic/decor, you might prefer this version.
A huge number of French towns, villages and cities are already visible on this map. Do zoom into the map and try to spot your hometown or favourite holidaying destination!
Around the edge of the map are some wonderful engravings of French cities such as Calais, Paris, Bordeaux and Poitiers - and also drawings of the French people, including the King, Queen, 'Gentleman', and 'Merchant'.
This is one of the most beautiful and decorative maps of France ever made. It's one of my personal favourites. If you're going to get one old map of France, this is the one.
This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas,
Father's Day, work leaving or housewarming gift for someone from France or has France in their heart.
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.
This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map 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 a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.
For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.