Old Map of Africa
Price range: £35.55 through £59.95
his richly decorated reproduction captures Africa as it appeared in one of the most celebrated Dutch maps of the seventeenth century. Willem Blaeu’s design combines early geographical knowledge with magnificent engraved borders, ships, sea creatures and illustrations of African cities and people.
A striking historical map for a study, living room or office, it offers both an impressive decorative centrepiece and a fascinating record of how the continent was represented during the golden age of Dutch cartography.A stunning certified FINE ART PRINT on heavy textured art paper — not a poster
- Direct from the publisher — no middlemen
- Printed in-house in Cornwall
- Free UK delivery — international shipping available
- Produced to meet — and often exceed — museum-quality standards
Fine Art Map Reproductions – Museum-Quality Printing
Unlike most online offerings, our maps are produced entirely in-house, not outsourced to print-on-demand or drop-shipping services. This allows complete control over quality while offering better value. Each map begins with a high-resolution original, carefully enhanced and printed to order using archival papers and pigment inks for exceptional clarity, depth, and longevity. Every piece is personally overseen — no map leaves our workshop unless it is of a quality we would be proud to display ourselves.
Authentic Old Map Paper & Accurate Colour Reproduction
Paper choice is essential to the authenticity of our maps. We use specially sourced 190gsm paper made in the UK from pure materials and traditionally pressed with natural woollen felts. This process creates a subtle, randomly textured surface that closely resembles an original antique document. Likewise the use of premium quality ink fully saturates the paper, producing remarkable clarity, depth, and historical character. Colour fastness and sharpness will remain good for in excess of 100 years!
Buy Old Maps Online in the UK Today Trading online since 1999
The Old Map Company of Great Britain offers a vast and carefully curated collection of the very finest expertly reproduced vintage maps. Our range includes works by renowned cartographers such as John Speed and Willem Blaeu, covering Scotland, England, and beyond. Free UK courier delivery is included, with EU, USA, and worldwide shipping available at cost and calculated at checkout. If you need assistance, our team is always happy to help you choose the perfect map.
RECENT REVIEWS
Verified ownerGot there in time and loves it! Cheers David [Gift from US to UK]
Verified ownerThanks Lauren. We received it today - it's gorgeous! Thank you, Ellan
Verified ownerThank you for your prompt service. I have a gallery and framing business in South Wales. I'm so pleased it is printed in the UK
Verified ownerMy Isles of Scilly map arrived safely and I'm delighted with it!
The print arrived safely and we're delighted with it - a lovely reminder of our honeymoon 15 years ago.
Verified ownerI have just received them! I'm sure our clients will be pleased with them and there could be more projects off the back of this one where we can use more. [Interior Designers]
Verified ownerI just received my map of Ireland by Ewart today and, as usual, I am delighted by its quality. The crispness and fineness of detail is excellent and the colour reproduction surpasses my expectations. Please relay my thanks to Steve for another fine effort!
Verified ownerMany thanks, Lauren. Very pleased with the map and the service: would recommend The Old Map Company to anyone interested in Old Maps.
Verified ownerMany thanks, the map arrived safely this morning, and I’m really pleased with it. A stunning reproduction, just as I had hoped. I will keep browsing your website, and may yet be tempted by more of your items! Have a great weekend.
Verified ownerJust arrived, wonderful map! Thanks very much!
Verified ownerThe map – beautiful – arrived safely, very many thanks.
Verified ownerThank you, I have already found the map. It’s wonderfull! Good luck! Rasa
Verified ownerMy apologies for the very late reply. I wanted to reach out to thank you so much for rushing my order. My partner absolutely loved it. I am amazed with the service so that is a five-star from me. I wish you all the best.
Historical Background
Willem Janszoon Blaeu was one of the leading cartographers and publishers of the Dutch Golden Age. His map of Africa was first issued during the early seventeenth century and subsequently appeared in editions of the Blaeu family’s celebrated atlases. This reproduction is based on the 1644 version of the map.
Map Details
- Mapmaker: Willem Janszoon Blaeu
- Original title: Africae Nova Descriptio
- Date: 1644
- Published: Amsterdam
- Map type: Decorative map of Africa
The map presents the African continent surrounded by highly decorative borders. Views of important cities appear across the top, while figures in regional dress stand along each side. Sailing ships, sea creatures and an elaborate title cartouche fill the surrounding oceans.
The coastline reflects knowledge gathered through European navigation and trade, while much of the African interior remained uncertain to European mapmakers. Blaeu followed older geographical traditions in showing the River Nile flowing from two large lakes south of the equator. Mountains, rivers, kingdoms and settlements are recorded throughout the continent, combining contemporary observations with information inherited from classical sources and earlier maps.
Madagascar is prominently depicted off the east coast, together with numerous islands in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The Cape of Good Hope is clearly identified at Africa’s southern point, illustrating the importance of the sea route between Europe and Asia.
The engraved city views and costume figures make this one of Blaeu’s most recognisable maps. They transformed a geographical document into an elaborate work of art and helped establish the decorative style for which seventeenth-century Dutch maps remain admired.
This reproduction preserves the colour, ornamentation and historical character of Blaeu’s original map, making it an absorbing record of early cartography as well as an impressive decorative map of Africa.