Rare Old Map of Spain and Portugal by Dosseray, 1892: Empires, Colonies, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Cuba

The "Nuevo Mapa de España y Portugal y de sus Colonias," created by the esteemed cartographer J. Dosseray in 1892, is a masterful representation of the Iberian Peninsula and its far-reaching colonial possessions. This map is a vivid snapshot of the geopolitical landscape during a time when Spain and Portugal were significant colonial powers. Each province and colony is meticulously shaded in different colors, creating a visually stunning and informative piece that highlights the political and administrative divisions of the era.

J. Dosseray, a renowned mapmaker of the late 19th century, was known for his detailed and colorful maps. His work on this map showcases his exceptional skill in cartography, with precise delineations of borders, cities, towns, roads, railroads, and canals. The map not only serves as a geographical guide but also as a historical document, reflecting the infrastructure and transportation networks of the time. The inclusion of 18 military decorations and 49 provincial coats of arms adds a layer of historical and cultural significance, celebrating the rich heritage of the regions depicted.

The map features insets of various colonies, including Puerto Rico, the Canary Islands, the Philippines, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, the Marianas, the Gulf of Guinea in Africa, Bombay, Timor, Cape Verde, parts of Mozambique, the Azores, and Madeira. These insets provide a comprehensive view of the extensive reach of the Spanish and Portuguese empires. The detailed depiction of these colonies underscores the importance of these territories to the Iberian powers and offers a fascinating glimpse into the global influence they wielded during the late 19th century.

Natural features such as the Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada, and Cantabrian Mountains are prominently displayed, along with major bodies of water like the Mar Cantábrico (Bay of Biscay), Océano Atlántico (Atlantic Ocean), and Mar Mediterráneo (Mediterranean Sea). Rivers and canals are intricately mapped, illustrating the vital waterways that facilitated trade and transportation. This attention to natural features not only enhances the map's aesthetic appeal but also provides valuable insights into the geographical challenges and advantages of the regions.

The map's historical significance is further emphasized by its detailed portrayal of cities and towns, from major urban centers like Madrid, Barcelona, and Lisbon to smaller yet historically important settlements. This comprehensive listing of human settlements, ordered by modern-day population, offers a unique perspective on the urban development and demographic changes over time. The "Nuevo Mapa de España y Portugal y de sus Colonias" is not just a map; it is a rich tapestry of history, geography, and culture, making it a prized addition to any collection of historical cartography.

Cities and towns on this map

Spain:

• Madrid
• Barcelona
• Valencia
• Seville
• Zaragoza
• Málaga
• Murcia
• Palma
• Las Palmas
• Bilbao
• Alicante
• Córdoba
• Valladolid
• Vigo
• Gijón
• L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
• Vitoria-Gasteiz
• A Coruña
• Granada
• Elche
• Oviedo
• Badalona
• Cartagena
• Terrassa
• Jerez de la Frontera
• Sabadell
• Móstoles
• Santa Cruz de Tenerife
• Pamplona
• Almería
• Burgos
• Salamanca
• León
• Cádiz
• Albacete
• Santander
• Castellón de la Plana
• Logroño
• Badajoz
• Huelva
• Tarragona
• Lleida
• Marbella
• Dos Hermanas
• Santiago de Compostela
• Torrejón de Ardoz
• Parla
• Alcobendas
• San Sebastián de los Reyes
• Pozuelo de Alarcón
• Getafe
• Mataró
• Alcoy
• Jaén
• Linares

Portugal:

• Lisbon
• Porto
• Amadora
• Braga
• Coimbra
• Setúbal
• Funchal
• Ponta Delgada
• Faro
• Aveiro
• Évora
• Leiria

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Inset maps:
• Puerto Rico
• Canary Islands
• Philippines
• Cuba
• Dominican Republic
• The Marianas
• Gulf of Guinea in Africa
• Bombay
• Timor
• Cape Verde
• Parts of Mozambique
• Azores
• Madeira
• Illustrations:
• 49 provincial coats of arms
• 18 military decorations
• Bodies of water:
• Mar Cantábrico (Bay of Biscay)
• Océano Atlántico (Atlantic Ocean)
• Mar Mediterráneo (Mediterranean Sea)
• Borders:
• Detailed borders between provinces and countries
• Mountains:
• Pyrenees
• Sierra Nevada
• Cantabrian Mountains

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Nuevo Mapa de España y Portugal y de sus Colonias
• Date of creation: 1892
• Mapmaker/Publisher: J. Dosseray
• Topics and themes:
• Political and administrative divisions
• Transportation networks (roads, railroads, canals)
• Colonial possessions
• Countries and regions shown:
• Spain
• Portugal
• Various colonies including Puerto Rico, Canary Islands, Philippines, Cuba, Dominican Republic, the Marianas, the Gulf of Guinea in Africa, Bombay, Timor, Cape Verde, parts of Mozambique, the Azores, and Madeira
• Design/Style:
• Colorful shading for each province and colony
• Decorative borders featuring coats of arms and military decorations
• Historical significance:
• Reflects the geopolitical landscape of the Iberian Peninsula and its colonies in the late 19th century
• Illustrates the extent of Spanish and Portuguese colonial empires before the major decolonization movements of the 20th century

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 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 36in (90cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

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.

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.