Rare Old Map of London and Suburbs, 1799 by Milne - Chelsea, Lambeth, Southwark, Kensington, Richmond, Fields

This is a highly decorative and extremely rare old map of London from 1799 by Thomas Milne. It is presented here in the original handcoloured form. This map has been lovingly restored by The Unique Maps Co. at its workshop in London, but it still looks delightfully old and characterful.

This map has many interesting details - notably, the exact use of almost every field (of which there were many in 1799!) 20 miles around London. Look at the key in the top left of the map and see what each of the colours means.

Back in 1799, only really the City of Westminster, City of London and Southwark had been built up. The rest of London was mostly villages and towns surrounded by arable land. The stretch of land between Clapham Common, Brixton, Camberwell and Lewisham - today one of the most densely populated residential areas in the world - is all just empty fields.

This section of the map mostly shows the stretch of London that's below the Thames, though it also has Chelsea, Fulham, Hammersmith, Kensington and Ealing. I also have the northern section if you prefer.

If you'd like the whole map, both north and south, please get in touch and we'll discuss it.

The fifth listing image shows what the map looks like with an added personalisation.

This is a gorgeous map. Old maps of London from the 1700s are exceedingly rare - and one with this level of detail, and handcoloured, is even rarer.

This map looks great at all sizes, from 18 inches (45cm) wide to 36 inches wide (91cm) all the way up to 50 inches wide (125cm), where it would look great in your hallway or above a sofa. Please note that there are white strips along the edge of the map if you buy the unframed map at smaller sizes (up to 36 inches wide) They are very easy to snip off - or they may help you with framing. The other sizes, and all framed maps, are all exactly as per the listing images.

This world map would make a perfect gift for someone who loves London or is from London, or it would look great as wall art on your own walls!

You can order the map itself, or you can order a framed version. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that really makes our maps pop out when on a wall. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame. We use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) in our frames - it's less reflective than glass and better for transport.

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.