Old Map of Oxfordshire
Price range: £35.55 through £59.95
An Old Map of Oxfordshire by John Speed
This fabulous old map print is crammed with detail and decoration including the arms of the Oxford colleges of the time and an incredibly detailed town plan of Oxford. Royal forests covered over two-thirds of Oxfordshire. Within the forest its many deer and prospects of good hunting made it very attractive to the Medieval Royalty. The manor of Woodstock was owned by Edward 1V and Henry V11, who both invested considerable amounts of money improving the house and grounds for hunting purposes. Subsequent monarch’s found Woodstock less inviting. By the early 12th century the small market town of Oxford was becoming a thriving commercial centre attracting scholars to occasional classes and lectures. Over the next 100 years a university was created from these small beginnings.
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
John Speed’s old map of Oxfordshire celebrates the university as well as the county. College arms form decorative borders down both sides, and a detailed plan of Oxford fills the upper right, balanced by two academic figures beside a large globe at the foot of the map.
Map Details
- Original title: Oxfordshire described with ye citie and the armes of the colledges of ye famous university
- Mapmaker: John Speed
- Dates: 1605 in the title; 1610 also engraved near the lower border; first atlas publication 1611
- Publisher and edition: The reproduced map carries the later Thomas Bassett and Richard Chiswell imprint, London, associated with the 1676 edition.
- Source atlas: The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine
- Area shown: Historic Oxfordshire, with a detailed county-town plan
Oxford and its colleges
The town plan distinguishes streets, buildings, waterways and open ground, with a lettered key naming colleges and other places. Christ Church’s meadows and walks are labelled beyond the built-up centre. The college shields around the county map carry names and dates, making them a particularly appealing feature for someone with a connection to Oxford.
From Banbury to Henley
Banbury, Woodstock, Witney, Thame and Henley appear among the county’s rivers, wooded parks and pictorial hills. The Thames helps define the southern landscape. Places such as Abingdon and Wallingford are shown in the surrounding area labelled Berkshire, a useful reminder that county boundaries have changed since the map was made.
Reading the dates on the map
The title includes 1605, while 1610 appears near the lower left. These dates relate to the map’s early production; they are not the publication year of every later impression. The Bassett and Chiswell inscription belongs to a later edition. Keeping those details distinct helps explain the historical layers visible in this print.
A fine art print supplied unframed, with the original map’s warm tones and engraved detail preserved.
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