Rare Old Railway Map of Great Britain by Tallis, 1850: London, Liverpool, Manchester, Steamboat Routes, Ornate Borders

Step into the dynamic world of Victorian Britain with “Tallis’s Railway Map of Great Britain Showing the Railways Completed, and the Stations on Each Line, Up To The Present Time, with the Steamboat Tracks From the Principal British and Continental Ports.” Crafted in 1850 by the celebrated publisher John Tallis and the skilled engraver John Rapkin, this map stands as a testament to the era’s feverish pace of innovation and connectivity. At a glance, it reveals the intricate web of railways that transformed the landscape, threading together the great cities and towns of England, Scotland, and Wales during the zenith of the Industrial Revolution.

John Tallis, renowned for his elegant and decorative cartographic works, imbued this map with a sense of grandeur and clarity. Collaborating with John Rapkin, whose meticulous engraving brought the details to life, Tallis ensured that every line and station was not only accurate—painstakingly compiled from government documents and the latest railway intelligence—but also visually captivating. The map’s ornate border is beautiful.

The map’s thematic focus on railways and steamboat routes encapsulates the sweeping changes of the mid-19th century. Major railway lines radiate from London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow, connecting burgeoning industrial centers with coastal ports and rural hinterlands. Steamboat tracks arc across the North Sea, English Channel, and Irish Sea, linking British harbors to continental Europe and underscoring the global reach of British commerce. Each railway station and route is meticulously marked, offering a snapshot of a country in the midst of unprecedented mobility and economic transformation.

Beyond its transportation networks, the map is a celebration of Britain’s rich and varied geography. The rolling hills of Wales, the rugged Highlands of Scotland, and the fertile plains of England are all subtly suggested, while major rivers like the Thames, Severn, and Clyde carve their way through the landscape. Decorative illustrations evoke the spirit of the age: mighty bridges, bustling harbors, and the proud figure of Britannia, all set against a backdrop of natural beauty and industrial prowess. Borders between England, Scotland, and Wales are clearly delineated, and county boundaries offer further insight into the administrative landscape of the time.

This map is more than a navigational aid; it is a historical document that captures the essence of a nation on the move. It charts the rise of cities such as London, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Glasgow—now global metropolises—and records the names of towns and regions that have shaped British identity for centuries. Whether admired for its artistry, its historical significance, or its sheer ambition, this map invites the viewer to journey back to a pivotal moment in Britain’s story, when iron rails and steam power redrew the contours of everyday life.

Cities and towns on this map

• England

  • London
  • Birmingham
  • Manchester
  • Liverpool
  • Leeds
  • Sheffield
  • Newcastle (Newcastle upon Tyne)
  • Bristol
  • Nottingham
  • Leicester
  • Portsmouth
  • Southampton
  • Derby
  • York
  • Norwich
  • Exeter
  • Carlisle
  • Plymouth
  • Hull (Kingston upon Hull)
  • Sunderland
  • Wolverhampton
  • Stoke (Stoke-on-Trent)
  • Preston
  • Lancaster
  • Chester
  • Bath
  • Oxford
  • Cambridge
  • Brighton

• Scotland

  • Glasgow
  • Edinburgh
  • Aberdeen
  • Dundee
  • Inverness
  • Perth
  • Stirling

• Wales

  • Cardiff
  • Swansea
  • Newport
  • Bangor
  • Wrexham

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Decorative border: Ornate, floral and scrollwork border framing the map, typical of Tallis’s publications
• Bodies of water:
  • The North Sea (labelled as German Ocean)
  • The English Channel
  • The Irish Sea
  • Various estuaries and firths (e.g., Firth of Forth, Solway Firth)
• Borders:
  • Clearly delineated borders between England, Scotland, and Wales
  • County boundaries within each country
• Steamboat tracks: Dashed or highlighted lines across the sea, connecting British ports to continental destinations
• Railways: Prominently marked railway lines crisscrossing the country, with stations indicated
• Mountains and terrain: Hilly and mountainous terrain indicated, especially in Scotland and Wales, though stylized rather than topographically precise
• Major rivers (e.g., Thames, Severn, Mersey, Clyde) are labelled

Historical and design context

• Created in 1850, during the height of the Industrial Revolution
• Published by John Tallis, a renowned 19th-century publisher known for elegant and decorative maps
• Cartography by John Rapkin, a skilled engraver and frequent Tallis collaborator
• Thematic focus on railway infrastructure and steamboat routes, reflecting Britain’s rapid industrial and socio-economic transformation
• Meticulously compiled from government documents and the latest railway intelligence of the time
• Captures the expansion of Britain’s railways and increased national mobility
• Decorative borders and engraved illustrations enhance both visual appeal and historical value
• Serves as a primary source for understanding mid-19th century British transport and geography
• Offers insight into the administrative landscape with clearly marked county boundaries

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 90in (230cm). 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 16in (40cm) 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 24x36in (60x90cm) 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.

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.

If you are not happy with your order for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps and art prints look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.