Robert Sayer’s A Chart of the Atlantic Ocean I. Sheet is a masterclass in late 18th‑century nautical intelligence, spanning the oceanic world from the Davis Strait to the River Plate and from the Barbary Coast to the mouths of the St. Lawrence. Drawn on Mercator’s projection, it unites four intertwined themes: precise navigation, imperial control, oceanic commerce, and coastal reconnaissance. Its immediate fascination lies in how it translates a vast, volatile sea into legible information—rhumb lines, a commanding compass rose, calibrated coordinates, and political color all speaking a common language to mariners and merchants. Issued in 1775, on the eve of revolution, it captures an Atlantic system at full stretch yet poised for profound transformation in power, trade, and ideas.

As a navigational instrument, the chart is meticulously engineered. A graduated neat‑line marks latitude and longitude at half‑degree intervals, aligning perfectly with sextant readings and shipboard plotting tools. The dense grid of rhumb lines radiates from the central compass rose, allowing pilots to hold constant bearings across curved space—Mercator’s great gift to ocean travel. Clearly labeled cardinal and intercardinal directions enhance rapid orientation, while coastline detail and potential soundings inform prudent approach. Coastal elevation profiles along West Africa add a vital third dimension, helping vessels identify landfalls and avoid hazards. Even the presence of the Gulf Stream is acknowledged as a decisive influence on speed and route planning, a subtle nod to environmental intelligence.

The chart’s political geography is equally deliberate. A refined color key differentiates British and Spanish claims, from the British colonies along the American mainland and the Caribbean islands to Spanish Florida and the Río de la Plata. Hudson Bay and the mouths of the St. Lawrence River anchor strategic northern corridors; the Barbary Coast reminds of both trade and predation at Africa’s threshold. Borders and toponyms present imperial reach as empirical fact, a graphic assertion of control just before independence movements began to redraw the map. In this light, its imperial representation becomes a period document—and a quiet prophecy of resistance to change that would soon reshape Atlantic sovereignties.

Commerce threads through the design in unmistakable form. Clear arrows trace the routes of the Triangular Trade, mapping the traffic of manufactured goods, enslaved people, and raw materials that bound Europe, Africa, and the Americas into a single economic engine. Senegambia’s littoral and the Cape Verde Islands appear as crucial embarkation and provisioning points, while Jamaica and Barbados signal the sugar archipelago’s pivotal role. These route notations do more than guide shipping; they visualize an entire system of extraction and exchange that would, within decades, face mounting moral and political challenge. The chart thus functions as a primary graphic of an era’s most consequential—and contested—networks.

Sayer, renowned for practical sea charts that guided fleets and merchants alike, brings exactitude and elegance to every element. The cartouche frames the title with ornamental poise, while the crisp, orderly linework—characteristic of high‑standard copperplate engraving—ensures visual clarity at a glance. Major waterways and ocean passages are integrated into a comprehensive, legible whole, enabling a navigator to lay a course from the St. Lawrence to the Caribbean, or from the Davis Strait toward the Barbary Coast, with confidence. As an object of connoisseurship and a document of statecraft and science, this chart stands at the confluence of geometry, empire, and enterprise, capturing the Atlantic world at its decisive moment.

Notable places on this map

• British Colonies: Labeled areas along the American mainland and Caribbean islands
• Caribbean Islands: Including Jamaica and Barbados
• Senegambia: Regions in West Africa indicating historical trading posts
• Spanish Territories: Including Florida and the Río de la Plata
• Barbary Coast: Northern Africa region known for piracy and trade routes
• Hudson Bay: Notable water body in North America, relevant for navigation
• Davis Strait: Northern boundary of the map, significant for maritime routes to the Arctic
• Mouths of the St. Lawrence River: Key entry point to interior Canada and trade routes
• Gulf Stream: Major ocean current impacting navigation and climate
• Cape Verde Islands: Important stopping point for ships traveling across the Atlantic

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Rhumb lines: Grid of directional lines indicating navigable routes
• Compass rose: Depicts cardinal directions for navigation
• Elevation views: Coastal profiles along West Africa to recognize hazards
• Notation of trade routes: Triangular Trade pathways with directional arrows
• Political borders: Areas under British and Spanish control
• Coastline detail: Geographic contours essential for navigation
• Water depth measurements: Soundings noted for maritime safety
• Compass directions: Clearly labeled cardinal and intercardinal directions
• Color key: Differentiates territories and political boundaries
• Cartouche: Ornamental title element
• Alignment with navigational tools: Precise latitude/longitude calibration
• Cultural and economic impact: Visualizes Atlantic commerce practices
• Visual clarity: Use of color and detail for readability at sea
• Comprehensive mapping: Vast Atlantic coverage connecting multiple regions
• Inclusion of major waterways: Highlights key river and ocean routes
• Resistance to change: Signals impending shifts from independence movements
• Expert craftsmanship: High-quality copperplate production

Historical and design context

• Date created: 1775, on the eve of the American Revolutionary War
• Context of mapmaker: Robert Sayer, a prominent producer of practical nautical charts during an era of intensive maritime trade
• Design and style: Graduated neat-line

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 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) 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.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

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 and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) 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).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

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, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

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 and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

Alcune delle mie vecchie mappe sono ora disponibili come tele incorniciate. Per favore contattami se desideri ordinare una dimensione che non è disponibile nel mio negozio.

Le vecchie mappe su tela sono un'alternativa interessante alle mappe incorniciate in modo convenzionale. A seconda del tuo gusto personale e dell'arredamento della stanza, le mappe su tela possono "risaltare" un po' di più rispetto a una mappa incorniciata.

Scopri di più sulle mie mappe su tela incorniciate.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

Se non sei soddisfatto del tuo ordine per qualsiasi motivo, contattami per un rimborso senza problemi. Si prega di consultare la nostra politica di reso e rimborso per ulteriori informazioni.

Sono molto sicuro che ti piacerà la tua mappa restaurata o la stampa d'arte. Lo faccio dal 1984. Sono un venditore Etsy a 5 stelle. Ho venduto decine di migliaia di mappe e stampe d'arte e ho oltre 5.000 recensioni reali a 5 stelle.

Utilizzo un processo unico per restaurare mappe e opere d'arte che richiede molto tempo e lavoro. Trovare le mappe e le illustrazioni originali può richiedere mesi. Utilizzo tecnologia all'avanguardia e incredibilmente costosa per scannerizzare e restaurarle. Di conseguenza, garantisco che le mie mappe e stampe d'arte siano superiori alle altre - ecco perché posso offrire un rimborso senza problemi.

Quasi tutte le mie mappe e stampe d'arte sembrano fantastiche a grandi dimensioni (200 cm, 6,5 piedi+) e posso anche incorniciarle e consegnarle a te, tramite un corriere speciale per oggetti di grandi dimensioni. Contattami per discutere delle tue esigenze specifiche.