Rare Old Map of Buckinghamshire by Samuel Lewis, 1844: Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Milton Keynes, Marlow, Amersham, Chesham

The Old Map of Buckinghamshire by Samuel Lewis, 1844 offers a captivating window into the historical landscape of this English county. This high-quality map, meticulously crafted by renowned cartographer Samuel Lewis, provides a wealth of fascinating details for history enthusiasts and map collectors alike.

Featuring intricate cartographic artistry, this map showcases the county's towns, cities, and other remarkable features from the mid-19th century. It is important to note that while some modern cities may not appear on this map, others may be present under earlier names, adding an element of discovery and intrigue.

The Old Map of Buckinghamshire is not merely a decorative piece, but a valuable historical artifact. Its intricate details and accurate representation of the county's geography make it a must-have for those interested in the region's past. Whether displayed in a home or office, this map serves as a conversation starter and a testament to the rich history of Buckinghamshire.

Notable Settlements Founded Before 1840

• Aylesbury (c. 650 AD): Aylesbury, the county town of Buckinghamshire, has a long and storied history dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period. It boasts a charming mix of medieval and Georgian architecture.

• High Wycombe (c. 1100): Known for its historic furniture industry, High Wycombe is a town with deep roots in craftsmanship. Its heritage is reflected in its architecture and cultural traditions.

• Milton Keynes Village (c. 1086): With origins dating back to the Domesday Book, Milton Keynes Village is a picturesque settlement that has retained its historic charm amidst the modern development of the wider Milton Keynes area.

• Marlow (c. 1015): Nestled on the banks of the River Thames, Marlow is a quintessential English town renowned for its scenic beauty and historic connections to literary figures such as Percy Bysshe Shelley and Mary Shelley.

• Amersham (c. 978): Amersham, a market town steeped in medieval history, showcases a delightful blend of half-timbered buildings and Georgian architecture. Its picturesque old town is a popular tourist destination.

• Chesham (c. 970): Chesham, situated in the heart of the Chiltern Hills, is known for its historic market and its role as a center for the production of boots and shoes during the 19th century.

• Beaconsfield (c. 1185): Beaconsfield, an affluent town with a rich heritage, boasts a charming old town and is renowned for its coaching inns along the historic London-Oxford coaching route.

• Winslow (c. 792): Winslow, a market town of great antiquity, has a history stretching back over a thousand years. It features a mix of architectural styles, including medieval timber-framed buildings.

• Olney (c. 1086): With its roots in the medieval period, Olney is a picturesque town known for its annual pancake race, a tradition dating back to 1445.

• Princes Risborough (c. 1086): Princes Risborough, nestled at the foot of the Chiltern Hills, is a market town with a rich history and a well-preserved medieval layout.

...and 20 more settlements founded before 1840 within the historical boundaries of Buckinghamshire.

Notable Natural Features and Tourist Attractions

• River Thames: The River Thames winds its way through Buckinghamshire, offering scenic beauty and recreational opportunities. It has played a significant role in the county's history and continues to be a popular destination for boating and riverside walks.

• Chiltern Hills: A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Chiltern Hills provide breathtaking views, charming villages, and picturesque walking trails. This ancient chalk escarpment is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

• Wendover Woods: Located in the Chiltern Hills, Wendover Woods is a popular destination for nature walks, cycling, and picnicking. Its woodlands offer a tranquil retreat and stunning panoramic vistas.

Historical Events in Buckinghamshire (1800-1850)

• 1809: The Grand Junction Canal, now known as the Grand Union Canal, opened in Buckinghamshire. This vital waterway facilitated transportation and trade within the county and beyond.

• 1832: The Reform Act of 1832, a significant milestone in British political history, had an impact on Buckinghamshire. It aimed to reform the electoral system, redistributing parliamentary representation and expanding suffrage.

• 1846: The opening of the Great Western Railway's line through Buckinghamshire revolutionized transportation in the county, connecting it to London and other major cities.

• 1849: The Buckinghamshire Railway, later part of the London and North Western Railway, commenced operations, further enhancing the region's rail network and facilitating trade and travel.

The Old Map of Buckinghamshire by Samuel Lewis, 1844 captures the essence of a bygone era, allowing you to explore the county's historical landscape and immerse yourself in its rich heritage.

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 all sizes: 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x30in (61x76cm), 32x40in (81.5x102cm) and 40x50in (102x127cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 50in (127cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40.5x51cm) version of this map.

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

Please note the unframed 24x30in (61x76cm) map has white edges around the map. These edges can help you with framing, or if you don’t need them they are very easy to snip off with scissors. All other maps, including the framed maps, look exactly like the listing images.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my main collection of UK and Ireland maps.

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.