Rare Old Map of Possum Kingdom Lake, Texas by USGS, 1931: Brazos River, Graham & Breckenridge
Restored in our London workshop from the original map and printed to museum-grade archival standards. Full description
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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.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 • Printed and framed in Australia
My maps are rare, museum-grade, restored old maps sourced from libraries, auction houses and private collections across the globe. Full description
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Published in 1931 by the United States Geological Survey, “Ivan” presents a finely measured portrait of north-central Texas at the 1:62,500 scale....
Continue readingPublished in 1931 by the United States Geological Survey, “Ivan” presents a finely measured portrait of north-central Texas at the 1:62,500 scale. The map captures the Brazos River country associated today with Possum Kingdom Lake, recording the ridges, valleys, roads, settlements, and drainage patterns that shaped the region’s early twentieth-century landscape. Its title, spare and precise in the USGS manner, anchors the sheet to Ivan, Texas, while the wider composition extends into a terrain of ranching country, river corridors, and developing transportation routes. As a historical topographical document, it offers more than orientation: it preserves a moment before later changes to shorelines, infrastructure, land ownership, and recreational development altered the character of this memorable Texas setting.
The US Geological Survey brought to this map the authority and discipline that made its quadrangles indispensable to engineers, landowners, geologists, planners, and travelers. Founded in 1879, the USGS was charged with systematically describing the physical geography and natural resources of the United States, and its maps became the visual language of modern American terrain. In “Ivan,” that institutional rigor appears in carefully drawn contour lines, measured elevations, watercourses, and road networks. The result is not decorative excess but an elegant economy of information: every line has purpose, every symbol contributes to an understanding of landform and use. For collectors, this makes the map especially appealing, combining scientific precision with the quiet beauty of early federal cartography.
The most compelling geographic presence is the Brazos River system, whose valleys and tributaries define the map’s structure. This is the landscape in which Possum Kingdom Lake would become one of Texas’s notable reservoirs and recreation areas, making the sheet especially valuable for comparing the region before and after major water-management development. The contours reveal how the river cut through resistant terrain, creating steep slopes, ridgelines, draws, and sheltered lowlands. These details speak to the practical realities of settlement and movement: roads followed easier grades, communities formed near water and crossings, and ranchland adapted to the relief. Seen today, the map reads as both a survey and a prophecy of transformation.
Nearby place names such as Graham, Breckenridge, Caddo, and Parker County connect the map to a broader regional history of frontier settlement, ranching, agriculture, and resource development. Graham, a county-seat town with nineteenth-century roots, served as a commercial and civic center for the surrounding country. Breckenridge, tied closely to the Texas oil boom of the early twentieth century, evokes a different rhythm of growth, industry, and speculation. Caddo recalls older layers of occupation and naming in the area, while the roadways threading through the quadrangle show how communities were linked before the dominance of modern highways. Together, these names and routes give the map a human dimension, setting lived places within an exacting topographic framework.
Cartographically, “Ivan” exemplifies the clarity of USGS topographic design: contour intervals articulate elevation, color gradation distinguishes terrain and hydrography, and standardized symbols make roads, settlements, streams, and relief immediately legible. The map’s beauty lies in this union of restraint and density. Ridges and valleys emerge almost sculpturally from the pattern of contours, while water bodies and drainage lines provide a visual counterpoint to the dry uplands of the Texas interior. As a historical record, it documents geographical knowledge and land use as understood in 1931, before decades of shoreline modification, infrastructure expansion, and recreational development reshaped the area. It is a refined and evocative window into the making of modern Texas landscapes.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Possum Kingdom Lake
- Brazos River
- Graham
- Breckenridge
- Caddo
- Parker County
- Various roadways encompassing the area
- Nearby valleys and elevations
- Additional bodies of water displayed in the region
Historical context & cartographic details
- Produced by the US Geological Survey, this historical topographical map is dated 1931.
- The map is drawn at a scale of 1:62,500.
- The USGS is known for creating accurate and detailed maps for surveying and understanding the geography of the United States.
- The map uses contour lines and color gradation to represent topography, elevation changes, and landforms.
- Terrain details include ridges, valleys, and water bodies characteristic of this region of Texas.
- The map reflects geographical knowledge and land use in the early 20th century.
- It provides historical insight into how development and environmental management in Texas have evolved over time, including changes to shorelines, infrastructure, and land ownership.
Looking for a particular place? Review the detailed images to confirm that the town, landmark or feature you have in mind appears on the map. If you are unsure, ask our workshop to check before you order.
Detailed maps are especially rewarding at larger sizes, where names, boundaries and decorative features have more room to be appreciated. Use the close-up preview and size guide to choose the right scale for your wall.
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.
Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. See personalised map examples.
Every piece is printed to museum-grade archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte paper. Choose an unframed map print, framed map or canvas using the finish options above. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.
With its rich detail and strong sense of place, this map makes a considered gift for a new home, anniversary, retirement or anyone with a personal connection to the area shown. Still deciding? Explore our collection of rare old and vintage maps to discover another place, period or style.
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.
Published in 1931 by the United States Geological Survey, “Ivan” presents a finely measured portrait of north-central Texas at the 1:62,500 scale. The map captures the Brazos River country associated today with Possum Kingdom Lake, recording the ridges, valleys, roads, settlements, and drainage patterns that shaped the region’s early twentieth-century landscape. Its title, spare and precise in the USGS manner, anchors the sheet to Ivan, Texas, while the wider composition extends into a terrain of ranching country, river corridors, and developing transportation routes. As a historical topographical document, it offers more than orientation: it preserves a moment before later changes to shorelines, infrastructure, land ownership, and recreational development altered the character of this memorable Texas setting.
The US Geological Survey brought to this map the authority and discipline that made its quadrangles indispensable to engineers, landowners, geologists, planners, and travelers. Founded in 1879, the USGS was charged with systematically describing the physical geography and natural resources of the United States, and its maps became the visual language of modern American terrain. In “Ivan,” that institutional rigor appears in carefully drawn contour lines, measured elevations, watercourses, and road networks. The result is not decorative excess but an elegant economy of information: every line has purpose, every symbol contributes to an understanding of landform and use. For collectors, this makes the map especially appealing, combining scientific precision with the quiet beauty of early federal cartography.
The most compelling geographic presence is the Brazos River system, whose valleys and tributaries define the map’s structure. This is the landscape in which Possum Kingdom Lake would become one of Texas’s notable reservoirs and recreation areas, making the sheet especially valuable for comparing the region before and after major water-management development. The contours reveal how the river cut through resistant terrain, creating steep slopes, ridgelines, draws, and sheltered lowlands. These details speak to the practical realities of settlement and movement: roads followed easier grades, communities formed near water and crossings, and ranchland adapted to the relief. Seen today, the map reads as both a survey and a prophecy of transformation.
Nearby place names such as Graham, Breckenridge, Caddo, and Parker County connect the map to a broader regional history of frontier settlement, ranching, agriculture, and resource development. Graham, a county-seat town with nineteenth-century roots, served as a commercial and civic center for the surrounding country. Breckenridge, tied closely to the Texas oil boom of the early twentieth century, evokes a different rhythm of growth, industry, and speculation. Caddo recalls older layers of occupation and naming in the area, while the roadways threading through the quadrangle show how communities were linked before the dominance of modern highways. Together, these names and routes give the map a human dimension, setting lived places within an exacting topographic framework.
Cartographically, “Ivan” exemplifies the clarity of USGS topographic design: contour intervals articulate elevation, color gradation distinguishes terrain and hydrography, and standardized symbols make roads, settlements, streams, and relief immediately legible. The map’s beauty lies in this union of restraint and density. Ridges and valleys emerge almost sculpturally from the pattern of contours, while water bodies and drainage lines provide a visual counterpoint to the dry uplands of the Texas interior. As a historical record, it documents geographical knowledge and land use as understood in 1931, before decades of shoreline modification, infrastructure expansion, and recreational development reshaped the area. It is a refined and evocative window into the making of modern Texas landscapes.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Possum Kingdom Lake
- Brazos River
- Graham
- Breckenridge
- Caddo
- Parker County
- Various roadways encompassing the area
- Nearby valleys and elevations
- Additional bodies of water displayed in the region
Historical context & cartographic details
- Produced by the US Geological Survey, this historical topographical map is dated 1931.
- The map is drawn at a scale of 1:62,500.
- The USGS is known for creating accurate and detailed maps for surveying and understanding the geography of the United States.
- The map uses contour lines and color gradation to represent topography, elevation changes, and landforms.
- Terrain details include ridges, valleys, and water bodies characteristic of this region of Texas.
- The map reflects geographical knowledge and land use in the early 20th century.
- It provides historical insight into how development and environmental management in Texas have evolved over time, including changes to shorelines, infrastructure, and land ownership.
Looking for a particular place? Review the detailed images to confirm that the town, landmark or feature you have in mind appears on the map. If you are unsure, ask our workshop to check before you order.
Detailed maps are especially rewarding at larger sizes, where names, boundaries and decorative features have more room to be appreciated. Use the close-up preview and size guide to choose the right scale for your wall.
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.
Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. See personalised map examples.
Every piece is printed to museum-grade archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte paper. Choose an unframed map print, framed map or canvas using the finish options above. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.
With its rich detail and strong sense of place, this map makes a considered gift for a new home, anniversary, retirement or anyone with a personal connection to the area shown. Still deciding? Explore our collection of rare old and vintage maps to discover another place, period or style.
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.
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.
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.
We work with interior designers, hospitality businesses, property professionals, offices and corporate buyers on individual pieces and larger coordinated projects.
This map can be adapted for a particular wall, room or project, and our workshop can help coordinate the dimensions, material and framing before production.
- Exact, oversized and made-to-measure dimensions
- Custom framing, mounting and alternative materials
- Coordinated pieces for several rooms or locations
- Map personalisation, to mark important locations or add extra details
- Map and framing guidance from our workshop
- Local production for projects around the world
Every Unique Maps piece begins with an authentic cartographic source or an original design from our London studio.
For our historic maps, we source rare originals from libraries, archives, auction houses and private collections around the world. We carefully restore each map for print—repairing age-related damage, balancing colour and improving clarity while preserving its original detail, texture and character.
Once restored, the map is prepared for your chosen size and finish. Your piece is then printed and, where selected, framed close to its delivery destination.
Our map prints use acid-free 200gsm archival matte paper and fade-resistant pigment inks, creating a rich, non-glossy finish designed to last. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.
Canvas, cotton-rag and other specialist presentations are also available. Learn more about our materials and finishes.
Personalising your map
You can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. For personalised designs, we send a proof before printing and you can request changes before approval.
For more complex bespoke commissions, contact our design team.
Original or Aged
Choose Original for true-to-source colour, or Aged for a warmer, richer antique character created with our specialist ageing process. See examples of our Aged maps.
We’ve been restoring and producing maps and art prints since 1984, and we stand behind every piece.
Every order is covered by our 10-year guarantee and damage-free delivery guarantee. If your piece arrives damaged, we’ll replace or remake it free of charge. If anything else isn’t right, contact our workshop team and we’ll put it right promptly.
See our returns and refund policy for full details.
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