Old Map of Iceland
Price range: £35.55 through £59.95
Old map of Iceland by Joris Carolus, published by Willem Blaeu — seventeenth century
Iceland’s deeply indented coast, mountain ranges and offshore islands take on a striking decorative form in this historic atlas map. A smoking Hekla, sailing ship, sea creatures and compass roses add interest around the island, while colour distinguishes its regional divisions. The title credits the navigator Joris Carolus, and the imprint names Willem Blaeu in Amsterdam. Reproduced as a detailed fine art print, it offers an atmospheric view of Iceland before modern mapping. Supplied unframed.
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
Size
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
Entitled Tabula Islandiae, this map credits Joris Carolus, whose name appears in Latin as Georgius Carolus. The publisher’s imprint reads Willem Blaeu, Amsterdam. Institutional collections catalogue the design around the 1630s and also record its appearance in later atlas editions, so the date of the design should be distinguished from the date of an individual impression.
Map Details
- Area: Iceland and neighbouring offshore islands
- Mapmaker: Joris Carolus
- Publisher named on the sheet: Willem Blaeu, Amsterdam
- Period: Seventeenth century; design recorded around 1630–1635
- Features: Hekla, regional colouring, compass roses, a ship and sea creatures
The coastline is one of the map’s most memorable features. Fjords and peninsulas are drawn with pronounced indentations, while rows of small hills describe the interior. This is a historical interpretation of the island’s shape, rather than the outline familiar from a modern atlas, and those differences are part of its interest.
Colour separates the island’s broad regional divisions. Place names sit among the mountains and along the coast, giving the print considerable detail beyond its decorative appearance. Grímsey lies off the northern coast, while the Westman Islands appear to the south. Hekla is represented as an active volcano, with flames rising above its mountain symbol.
The surrounding sea is carefully composed. Two compass roses and their radiating lines provide a maritime framework, a ship sails below the island, and small sea creatures occupy the water nearby. The labelled Arctic Circle adds another geographical reference. Together, these features reflect an atlas culture in which navigation, natural curiosities and ornament could share the same sheet.
The title cartouche at the lower left is framed by winged figures and decorative fruit. Its inscription is also the key to the map’s authorship: Carolus supplied the mapping, while Blaeu published it. Willem Blaeu died in 1638, but maps bearing his name continued to appear in later atlas editions.
As a fine art print, the map combines a recognisable island subject with the distinctive visual language of seventeenth-century cartography. The small coast names, lively sea and regional colour offer details to discover long after the first viewing.
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