The Holy Land – an old map by John Speed
Price range: £35.55 through £59.95
The Holy Land
A richly detailed old map of The Holy Land by John Speed, one of the most recognisable English mapmakers of the seventeenth century. This fascinating biblical map includes an early town plan of Jerusalem, carefully keyed with important landmarks, together with extensive notes on events and places from scripture.
Unusually for a Speed map, the sheet contains a substantial panel addressed “To the Christian Reader”, in which Speed explains the purpose and layout of the map. The result is both decorative and deeply historical: a map of faith, geography and scholarship, full of detail for close study.
Printed to order in our Cornwall workshop using archival pigment inks on textured fine art paper, this Holy Land map makes a thoughtful fine art print for a study, library, hallway, church office, clergy room, school, or anyone interested in biblical history and early English 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
John Speed’s map of the Holy Land is one of the more unusual works associated with his famous atlas tradition. Speed is best known for his county maps of England and Wales, but this map turns his attention to biblical geography, presenting the Holy Land as both a real landscape and a setting for sacred history.
The map reflects a seventeenth-century European interest in understanding the places of the Bible through geography. Jerusalem, Judea, Galilee, Samaria, the River Jordan, the Dead Sea and surrounding regions were not shown merely as locations, but as places connected to events, journeys and stories familiar to Christian readers.
One of the most engaging features is the plan of Jerusalem. The city is shown with a numbered key, allowing the viewer to identify important sites and landmarks. Around the map, Speed includes extensive explanatory notes, including a panel addressed “To the Christian Reader”. This gives the piece a textual richness not found on many decorative maps, making it especially rewarding to study closely.
As with much early modern cartography, the map is not simply a neutral geographical record. It is a visual interpretation of history, scripture and place. The land is presented through the learning, belief and imagination of Speed’s period, offering a fascinating glimpse of how seventeenth-century readers pictured the biblical world.
Reproduced as a fine art print, this old map of the Holy Land has a quieter and more scholarly character than many decorative wall maps. It is particularly suited to a study, library, church office, reading room or home with an interest in biblical history, early maps and the enduring significance of Jerusalem.You may also like…
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Jerusalem
Price range: £35.55 through £59.95
