Rare Old OS Map of Cambridge, Huntingdon by Bartholomew, 1901: St Neots, St Ives, Ely, River Great Ouse, The Fens, Grafham Water

Sheet 19 - Cambridge, Huntingdon, crafted by the esteemed cartographer JG Bartholomew in 1901, is a masterful representation of early 20th-century cartographic artistry. Bartholomew, known for his meticulous attention to detail and innovative use of color, created this map as part of his flagship half-inch series. The map's scale of 1:126,720 makes it a detailed and accurate depiction of the regions it covers, providing a fascinating glimpse into the geographical and infrastructural layout of the time. Bartholomew's work was highly regarded among cyclists and tourists, making this map not only a tool for navigation but also a piece of art to be admired.

The map is a vibrant tapestry of political and physical features, showcasing the regions around Cambridge and Huntingdon with remarkable clarity. Bartholomew's use of color gradation to represent landscape relief is particularly noteworthy, as it allows viewers to easily discern the varying heights of the land. This innovative technique, combined with the detailed depiction of roads, railways, rivers, and other physical features, makes the map both visually appealing and highly informative. The map is based on a reduced Ordnance Survey map from the same period, ensuring its accuracy and reliability.

The regions depicted on the map are rich in historical and natural significance. The River Great Ouse and the River Cam meander through the landscape, providing vital waterways that have shaped the development of the surrounding areas. Historic landmarks such as Grafham Water and Wimpole Hall are prominently featured, offering a glimpse into the region's storied past. The map also highlights the Fens, a low-lying wetland area that has been central to the region's agricultural history. Natural reserves like RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes and Hinchingbrooke Country Park are also marked, showcasing the area's natural beauty and biodiversity.

In addition to its physical features, the map provides a detailed look at the infrastructure of the time. The Great Northern Railway, London and North Western Railway, and Midland Railway are all meticulously plotted, reflecting the importance of rail travel in the early 20th century. Historic roads such as the Old North Road and Ermine Street are also featured, tracing routes that have been used for centuries. The Icknield Way, an ancient trackway, further adds to the map's historical depth, connecting viewers to the region's distant past.

The cities and towns marked on the map, including Cambridge, St. Neots, Huntingdon, and Bedford, are presented with precision, offering a snapshot of urban development at the turn of the century. Each settlement is a testament to the region's rich history and cultural heritage. This map is not just a navigational tool; it is a window into a bygone era, capturing the essence of the landscape and the lives of those who inhabited it. Owning this map is like holding a piece of history, a beautifully crafted artifact that tells the story of a region and its people.

Cities and towns on this map

• Cambridgeshire:
• Cambridge
• St. Neots
• Huntingdon
• St. Ives
• Godmanchester
• Ely
• Chatteris
• Soham
• Littleport
• Ramsey
• Whittlesey
• March

• Wisbech

• Bedfordshire:

• Bedford
• Sandy

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Rivers:
• River Great Ouse

• River Cam

• Railways:

• Great Northern Railway
• London and North Western Railway

• Midland Railway

• Historic landmarks:

• Grafham Water (historic reservoir)

• Wimpole Hall (historic estate)

• Natural features:

• RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes (nature reserve)

• The Fens (low-lying wetland area)

• Parks:

• Hinchingbrooke Country Park

• Paxton Pits Nature Reserve

• Miscellaneous:

• Old North Road (historic Roman road)
• Ermine Street (another historic Roman road)
• The Icknield Way (ancient trackway)

Historical and design context

• A clear, attractive, and colorful map at the half-inch to the mile scale (1:126,720).
• Popular with cyclists and tourists, becoming Bartholomew's flagship series.
• Distinctive for using different layers of color to represent landscape relief, with a subtle and innovative gradation of color bands to show land at different heights.
• Created in 1901 by JG Bartholomew, a renowned Scottish cartographer known for his detailed and aesthetically pleasing maps.
• Based on a reduced Ordnance Survey map from the same period, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
• Reflects the cartographic style and techniques of the early 20th century.
• Provides insights into the geographical and infrastructural layout of the regions around Cambridge and Huntingdon at the turn of the century.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 20in (50cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

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.