Rare Old Topographic Map of the Caucasus, 1967: Greater Caucasus, Black Sea, Caspian Sea, Tbilisi, Baku
Restored in our London workshop from the original 1967 map and printed to museum-grade archival standards. Full description
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.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
Restored from the original 1967 map and printed to museum-grade archival standards. Full description
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Gift message & custom finish
If you want to add a gift message, or a finish (jigsaw, aluminium board, etc.) that is not available here, please request it in the "order note" when you check out.
Every order is custom made, so if you need the size adjusted slightly, or printed on an unusual material, just let us know. We've done thousands of custom orders over the years, so there's (almost) nothing we can't manage.
You can also contact us before you order, if you prefer!
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U.S.S.R. - Caucasia, Pergamon World Atlas presents a 1967 view of one of the world’s great mountain gateways, where Europe and Asia...
Continue readingU.S.S.R. - Caucasia, Pergamon World Atlas presents a 1967 view of one of the world’s great mountain gateways, where Europe and Asia interlace between the Black Sea and the Caspian. Its liberal, painterly tints climb from coastal plains to serrated crests, while cool bathymetric shading frames the littorals, all set against an elegantly restrained beige field that lets detail breathe. Political frontiers thread the relief without overpowering it, allowing the mountains, rivers, and cities to speak. The result is a balanced portrait of the Caucasus in late–Cold War equilibrium: a land of high passes and deep valleys, strategic corridors and bustling ports, with Sochi, Rostov-on-Don, Tbilisi, Yerevan, and Baku each held in precise, legible relation to the terrain that shaped them.
Behind this clarity lies an unusual collaboration. Prepared by the Polish Army Topography Service—an institution steeped in rigorous survey tradition—and published by Pergamon Press, Ltd. with P.W.N. Poland, the map reflects a moment when cartography bridged ideological divides through exacting science. Pergamon’s atlas program was famed for its comprehensive, editorially consistent approach, and here that ethos is palpable: typography is disciplined; symbols are clean; color is richly informative yet never garish. The sheet synthesizes military-grade accuracy with civilian readability, encoding relief, hydrography, settlement hierarchy, and networks into a single, smoothly legible cartouche of knowledge, emblematic of the era’s best international mapmaking.
The physical structure of the region unfolds with rare finesse. The Greater Caucasus arcs like a bastion between the seas, its ridgelines rendered in graduated hypsometric color that instantly communicates altitude and slope. Southward, the Lesser Caucasus splinters into ranges and plateaus, guiding the headwaters and tributaries that feed the Kura and Aras as they cross Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan toward the Caspian’s inland horizon. To the northwest, lowland steppe and the Kuban basin open toward Rostov-on-Don, while the Black Sea’s contour embraces Batumi and Sochi. Valleys, passes, and river confluences—those classic chokepoints of the Caucasian landscape—are artfully legible, revealing the topographic logic behind each town, road, and rail spur.
The political geography is no less meticulously drawn. Borders distinguish the Soviet republics—Russian S.F.S.R. in the north, with its mosaic of North Caucasian administrative areas, and the Georgian, Armenian, and Azerbaijani republics to the south—while maintaining harmony with the underlying relief. Urban centers appear in a clear hierarchy of distinctive symbols: Baku gleams on the Absheron Peninsula; Tbilisi commands the Kura’s gorge; Yerevan anchors the Ararat plain; Rostov-on-Don gates the steppe; Krasnodar and Sochi line verdant corridors; Batumi and Kutaisi punctuate western Georgia; Gyumri and Ganja mark interior routes. Arterial roads and the rail network trace historical lifelines—Rostov to the Transcaucasian corridor, Baku to Batumi—mapping commerce, culture, and strategy onto the contours of stone and water.
As a Cold War artifact, the map captures a geopolitical moment with intellectual poise. It fixes the Caucasus at a time when borders were ostensibly stable, yet freighted with centuries of movement, empire, and exchange—insight that serves historians, geographers, and collectors alike. Its palette of tinted relief and shaded seas is not mere ornament, but a cognitive tool: one can read the pressures of mountain and coast, the pathways of trade and administration, and the siting logic of cities at a glance. Elegant, data-dense, and narratively rich, it stands as both a lens on the 1960s Soviet south and a timeless guide to one of Earth’s most storied terrains.
Cities and towns on this map
- Russia:
- Sochi
- Rostov-on-Don
- Krasnodar
- Georgia:
- Tbilisi
- Batumi
- Kutaisi
- Armenia:
- Yerevan
- Gyumri
- Azerbaijan:
- Baku
- Ganja
Notable Features & Landmarks
- Major mountain ranges and topographical details
- Political boundaries of the region
- Bodies of water such as the Black Sea and Caspian Sea
- Major roads and railways network
- Key urban areas marked with distinctive symbols
Historical and design context
- Date created: 1967 (Cold War era)
- Mapmaker/Publisher: Polish Army Topography Service; published by Pergamon Press, Ltd. and P.W.N. Poland, noted for a comprehensive atlas program
- Part of the Pergamon World Atlas: nearly 5.5 kg, spanning 48 square meters with 400+ thematic and physical maps
- Design/style: liberal use of tinted colors for topographic and bathymetric features on a beige background to enhance legibility
- Historical significance: reflects the geopolitical landscape of the Caucasus and supports study of the region’s political, historical, and physical geography
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 24x36in (60x90cm) 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.
U.S.S.R. - Caucasia, Pergamon World Atlas presents a 1967 view of one of the world’s great mountain gateways, where Europe and Asia interlace between the Black Sea and the Caspian. Its liberal, painterly tints climb from coastal plains to serrated crests, while cool bathymetric shading frames the littorals, all set against an elegantly restrained beige field that lets detail breathe. Political frontiers thread the relief without overpowering it, allowing the mountains, rivers, and cities to speak. The result is a balanced portrait of the Caucasus in late–Cold War equilibrium: a land of high passes and deep valleys, strategic corridors and bustling ports, with Sochi, Rostov-on-Don, Tbilisi, Yerevan, and Baku each held in precise, legible relation to the terrain that shaped them.
Behind this clarity lies an unusual collaboration. Prepared by the Polish Army Topography Service—an institution steeped in rigorous survey tradition—and published by Pergamon Press, Ltd. with P.W.N. Poland, the map reflects a moment when cartography bridged ideological divides through exacting science. Pergamon’s atlas program was famed for its comprehensive, editorially consistent approach, and here that ethos is palpable: typography is disciplined; symbols are clean; color is richly informative yet never garish. The sheet synthesizes military-grade accuracy with civilian readability, encoding relief, hydrography, settlement hierarchy, and networks into a single, smoothly legible cartouche of knowledge, emblematic of the era’s best international mapmaking.
The physical structure of the region unfolds with rare finesse. The Greater Caucasus arcs like a bastion between the seas, its ridgelines rendered in graduated hypsometric color that instantly communicates altitude and slope. Southward, the Lesser Caucasus splinters into ranges and plateaus, guiding the headwaters and tributaries that feed the Kura and Aras as they cross Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan toward the Caspian’s inland horizon. To the northwest, lowland steppe and the Kuban basin open toward Rostov-on-Don, while the Black Sea’s contour embraces Batumi and Sochi. Valleys, passes, and river confluences—those classic chokepoints of the Caucasian landscape—are artfully legible, revealing the topographic logic behind each town, road, and rail spur.
The political geography is no less meticulously drawn. Borders distinguish the Soviet republics—Russian S.F.S.R. in the north, with its mosaic of North Caucasian administrative areas, and the Georgian, Armenian, and Azerbaijani republics to the south—while maintaining harmony with the underlying relief. Urban centers appear in a clear hierarchy of distinctive symbols: Baku gleams on the Absheron Peninsula; Tbilisi commands the Kura’s gorge; Yerevan anchors the Ararat plain; Rostov-on-Don gates the steppe; Krasnodar and Sochi line verdant corridors; Batumi and Kutaisi punctuate western Georgia; Gyumri and Ganja mark interior routes. Arterial roads and the rail network trace historical lifelines—Rostov to the Transcaucasian corridor, Baku to Batumi—mapping commerce, culture, and strategy onto the contours of stone and water.
As a Cold War artifact, the map captures a geopolitical moment with intellectual poise. It fixes the Caucasus at a time when borders were ostensibly stable, yet freighted with centuries of movement, empire, and exchange—insight that serves historians, geographers, and collectors alike. Its palette of tinted relief and shaded seas is not mere ornament, but a cognitive tool: one can read the pressures of mountain and coast, the pathways of trade and administration, and the siting logic of cities at a glance. Elegant, data-dense, and narratively rich, it stands as both a lens on the 1960s Soviet south and a timeless guide to one of Earth’s most storied terrains.
Cities and towns on this map
- Russia:
- Sochi
- Rostov-on-Don
- Krasnodar
- Georgia:
- Tbilisi
- Batumi
- Kutaisi
- Armenia:
- Yerevan
- Gyumri
- Azerbaijan:
- Baku
- Ganja
Notable Features & Landmarks
- Major mountain ranges and topographical details
- Political boundaries of the region
- Bodies of water such as the Black Sea and Caspian Sea
- Major roads and railways network
- Key urban areas marked with distinctive symbols
Historical and design context
- Date created: 1967 (Cold War era)
- Mapmaker/Publisher: Polish Army Topography Service; published by Pergamon Press, Ltd. and P.W.N. Poland, noted for a comprehensive atlas program
- Part of the Pergamon World Atlas: nearly 5.5 kg, spanning 48 square meters with 400+ thematic and physical maps
- Design/style: liberal use of tinted colors for topographic and bathymetric features on a beige background to enhance legibility
- Historical significance: reflects the geopolitical landscape of the Caucasus and supports study of the region’s political, historical, and physical geography
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 24x36in (60x90cm) 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 24 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 24 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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