Large Old Map of Africa, 1957: Colonial Borders, Mercator Projection, Detailed Geography

Embark on a historical voyage with "Hammond's Superior Map of Africa," a cartographic masterpiece that encapsulates the political and physical landscape of Africa in the pivotal year of 1957. Crafted by the esteemed C.S. Hammond & Co., a beacon of mapmaking excellence founded at the dawn of the 20th century, this map stands as a testament to the company's commitment to precision and detail. Clarence Sherman Hammond, the visionary behind the company, propelled his enterprise to the forefront of the cartographic industry, ensuring that each map, including this splendid representation of Africa, was imbued with unparalleled accuracy and richness of information. This map not only serves as a navigational tool but also as a vibrant historical document, capturing the essence of a continent on the cusp of monumental change.

The map's design and style are a reflection of its era, employing a Mercator projection to depict the vast expanse of Africa on a flat surface. This large, colorful wall chart is not just a feast for the eyes but a conduit for understanding, designed to be easily comprehensible. It meticulously delineates the intricate political borders of the time, including the remnants of colonial rule with entities such as French West Africa, Belgian Congo, and the Federation of Rhodesia prominently featured. The map's clarity and attention to detail make it an invaluable resource for those seeking to grasp the complex geopolitical landscape of Africa during a period of significant transformation.

Beyond the political, "Hammond's Superior Map of Africa" is a treasure trove of physical geography, showcasing the continent's majestic rivers, towering mountains, and vast deserts. From the sweeping expanse of the Sahara to the rugged peaks of the Atlas and Drakensberg mountains, the map invites exploration of Africa's diverse topography. It highlights major bodies of water, including the Nile and Congo rivers, and the great lakes of Victoria, Tanganyika, and Nyasa, offering a comprehensive overview of the continent's natural features. This detailed portrayal encourages a deeper appreciation of Africa's environmental diversity and its role in shaping the history and culture of its peoples.

The historical significance of this map cannot be overstated. It captures a moment in time when Africa was navigating the turbulent waters of decolonization, with many countries on the verge of claiming their independence. This map is not merely a representation of land and water; it is a snapshot of Africa's journey towards self-determination, making it an essential piece of historical documentation. It serves as a powerful educational tool, providing insights into the challenges and triumphs that have shaped the continent's 20th-century history.

In conclusion, "Hammond's Superior Map of Africa" is more than just a map; it is a historical artifact, a piece of art, and a source of knowledge. It offers a window into a defining moment in Africa's history, presented through the meticulous craftsmanship of C.S. Hammond & Co. Whether for the historian, the cartography enthusiast, or the curious explorer, this map is a luxurious addition to any collection, inviting its owner to embark on a journey through time and terrain, uncovering the stories woven into the fabric of Africa's rich and complex landscape.

Countries and regions on this map

• North Africa: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti
• West Africa: Mauritania, Mali, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, Central African Republic, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso
• Southern Africa: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Angola
• East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Madagascar

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Inset maps: Tangier to Tripoli, Suez Canal, Johannesburg and Environs, Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi, Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion
• Bodies of water: Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Guinea, Mozambique Channel, Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Nyasa
• Mountain ranges: Atlas Mountains, Drakensberg Mountains, Ethiopian Highlands, Tibesti Mountains, Ahaggar Mountains
• Sea, road and rail routes: Major sea routes, Major road routes, Major rail routes
• Other features: Political boundaries, Cities, Towns, Villages, Deserts, Forests, Grasslands, Mountains, Rivers, Lakes, Islands, Historical notes, Annotations

Historical and design context

• Title: Hammond's Superior Map of Africa
• Date: 1957
• Mapmaker/Publisher: C.S. Hammond & Co. was a map publishing company founded in 1900 by Clarence Sherman Hammond. Known for their accuracy and detail.
• Topics and themes: The map shows the political and physical geography of Africa, including countries, cities, rivers, mountains, and deserts. It also shows the colonial borders that were in place at the time.
• Design and style: The map is a large, colorful wall chart designed to be easy to read and understand, using a Mercator projection.
• Historical significance: The map is a valuable historical document that provides a snapshot of Africa in 1957, showing the continent at a time when it was undergoing significant change.

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 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.

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.

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 unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

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

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

Almost all of my maps 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.