Rare Old Map of Tupelo, Mississippi by USGS, 1921: Verona, Saltillo & Lee County
Restored in our London workshop from the original map and printed to museum-grade archival standards. Full description
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Choose two eligible works and receive 20% off both. Choose three and the lowest-priced one is complimentary, a maximum saving of 33%.
Mix and match eligible standard maps and fine-art prints. No code is required; the offer is applied automatically at checkout.
Standard made-to-order configurations are included. Bespoke sizes, personalised designs and commissioned work are excluded.
Need delivery to different addresses? Contact us before ordering.The Collector’s Offer
Choose two eligible works and receive 20% off both. Choose three and the lowest-priced one is complimentary, a maximum saving of 33%.
Mix and match eligible standard maps and fine-art prints. No code is required; the offer is applied automatically at checkout.
Standard made-to-order configurations are included. Bespoke sizes, personalised designs and commissioned work are excluded.
Need delivery to different addresses? Contact us before ordering.
Restored in London • Printed and framed in the EU
My maps are rare, museum-grade, restored old maps sourced from libraries, auction houses and private collections across the globe. Full description
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Published in 1921, the US Geological Survey’s “Tupelo” presents northern Mississippi with the disciplined elegance of early twentieth-century American topographic mapping. Centered...
Continue readingPublished in 1921, the US Geological Survey’s “Tupelo” presents northern Mississippi with the disciplined elegance of early twentieth-century American topographic mapping. Centered on the city of Tupelo and its surrounding communities, the map records Lee County at a scale of 1:48,000, offering a richly detailed view of roads, railways, streams, settlements, and the subtly rolling terrain that shaped daily life in the region. Marked as an “advance” issue, it carries the character of a working government map prepared for practical use, scientific reference, and public planning. Its 20-foot contour intervals give the landscape a measured, almost sculptural quality, revealing hills, shallow valleys, drainage patterns, and routes through the countryside with understated precision.
The US Geological Survey, founded in 1879, became one of the defining institutions of American cartography, translating the nation’s terrain into standardized, authoritative map sheets. By the time this Tupelo quadrangle was produced, the USGS had refined a visual language that balanced utility with remarkable graphic restraint: contour lines, railroads, roads, waterways, and place names are arranged for maximum legibility without unnecessary ornament. This map belongs to that tradition, capturing a regional landscape at a moment when federal mapping was increasingly essential to engineering, agriculture, transportation, resource management, and civic development. Its clarity reflects the Survey’s broader mission: to make the physical character of the United States knowable, measurable, and navigable.
Tupelo itself occupies the heart of the sheet, appearing not as the larger modern city known today, but as a growing Mississippi town set within a network of rural roads, rail corridors, and neighboring communities. Nearby places such as Verona, Saltillo, Mooreville, and Farmington help define the local geography, each connected by the transportation arteries that structured commerce and movement in the early 1920s. Railroads are especially important, signaling Tupelo’s role within broader regional trade networks and its relationship to agricultural production, timber movement, and passenger travel. The map captures a landscape on the threshold of transformation, before later highways, suburban expansion, and industrial growth significantly altered the pattern of settlement.
The topographic character of the map is one of its great strengths. With contours drawn at 20-foot intervals, the sheet conveys the gentle but meaningful relief of northeastern Mississippi: low ridges, creek valleys, drainage divides, and subtle elevations that influenced farms, roads, rail routes, and town sites. Rather than dramatic mountain scenery, the map reveals the quiet complexity of a lived-in landscape, where modest changes in elevation mattered to travel, cultivation, and water flow. Streams and water bodies trace natural corridors through the terrain, while roads and trails show how human movement adapted to those contours. The result is a portrait of geography as both physical fact and historical framework.
Seen today, the 1921 “Tupelo” map is a valuable record of a region before a century of urban development, infrastructure change, and environmental modification reshaped its appearance. It preserves the spatial relationships among towns, rail lines, rural routes, waterways, and landforms at a specific moment in Lee County’s history. For collectors drawn to maps of the American South, it offers more than location: it evokes an era of early modern mobility, federal scientific ambition, and local landscapes still closely tied to agriculture and rail transport. Its restrained USGS design, advance-map character, and finely rendered contours make it both a functional geographic document and a compelling historical artifact.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Tupelo
- Farmington
- Verona
- Saltillo
- Mooreville
- Lee County
- Various roads and trails
- Contours representing hills and valleys
- Water bodies such as lakes and rivers
- Railroads and railway lines
Historical context & cartographic details
- Map name: Tupelo
- Produced by the US Geological Survey
- Created in 1921
- Scale: 1:48,000
- Special feature noted as “advance”
- Depicts Tupelo, Mississippi, and its surrounding areas
- Shows contour lines indicating elevation changes, with contour intervals every 20 feet
- The US Geological Survey is known for producing detailed topographic maps for scientific research and public use
- The 1921 landscape has likely changed considerably due to urban development, infrastructure changes, and environmental factors
- The design emphasizes functional clarity, typical of USGS topographic maps from this era
Looking for a particular place? Review the detailed images to confirm that the town, landmark or feature you have in mind appears on the map. If you are unsure, ask our workshop to check before you order.
Detailed maps are especially rewarding at larger sizes, where names, boundaries and decorative features have more room to be appreciated. Use the close-up preview and size guide to choose the right scale for your wall.
This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). 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.
Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. See personalised map examples.
Every piece is printed to museum-grade archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte paper. Choose an unframed map print, framed map or canvas using the finish options above. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.
With its rich detail and strong sense of place, this map makes a considered gift for a new home, anniversary, retirement or anyone with a personal connection to the area shown. Still deciding? Explore our collection of rare old and vintage maps to discover another place, period or style.
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.
Published in 1921, the US Geological Survey’s “Tupelo” presents northern Mississippi with the disciplined elegance of early twentieth-century American topographic mapping. Centered on the city of Tupelo and its surrounding communities, the map records Lee County at a scale of 1:48,000, offering a richly detailed view of roads, railways, streams, settlements, and the subtly rolling terrain that shaped daily life in the region. Marked as an “advance” issue, it carries the character of a working government map prepared for practical use, scientific reference, and public planning. Its 20-foot contour intervals give the landscape a measured, almost sculptural quality, revealing hills, shallow valleys, drainage patterns, and routes through the countryside with understated precision.
The US Geological Survey, founded in 1879, became one of the defining institutions of American cartography, translating the nation’s terrain into standardized, authoritative map sheets. By the time this Tupelo quadrangle was produced, the USGS had refined a visual language that balanced utility with remarkable graphic restraint: contour lines, railroads, roads, waterways, and place names are arranged for maximum legibility without unnecessary ornament. This map belongs to that tradition, capturing a regional landscape at a moment when federal mapping was increasingly essential to engineering, agriculture, transportation, resource management, and civic development. Its clarity reflects the Survey’s broader mission: to make the physical character of the United States knowable, measurable, and navigable.
Tupelo itself occupies the heart of the sheet, appearing not as the larger modern city known today, but as a growing Mississippi town set within a network of rural roads, rail corridors, and neighboring communities. Nearby places such as Verona, Saltillo, Mooreville, and Farmington help define the local geography, each connected by the transportation arteries that structured commerce and movement in the early 1920s. Railroads are especially important, signaling Tupelo’s role within broader regional trade networks and its relationship to agricultural production, timber movement, and passenger travel. The map captures a landscape on the threshold of transformation, before later highways, suburban expansion, and industrial growth significantly altered the pattern of settlement.
The topographic character of the map is one of its great strengths. With contours drawn at 20-foot intervals, the sheet conveys the gentle but meaningful relief of northeastern Mississippi: low ridges, creek valleys, drainage divides, and subtle elevations that influenced farms, roads, rail routes, and town sites. Rather than dramatic mountain scenery, the map reveals the quiet complexity of a lived-in landscape, where modest changes in elevation mattered to travel, cultivation, and water flow. Streams and water bodies trace natural corridors through the terrain, while roads and trails show how human movement adapted to those contours. The result is a portrait of geography as both physical fact and historical framework.
Seen today, the 1921 “Tupelo” map is a valuable record of a region before a century of urban development, infrastructure change, and environmental modification reshaped its appearance. It preserves the spatial relationships among towns, rail lines, rural routes, waterways, and landforms at a specific moment in Lee County’s history. For collectors drawn to maps of the American South, it offers more than location: it evokes an era of early modern mobility, federal scientific ambition, and local landscapes still closely tied to agriculture and rail transport. Its restrained USGS design, advance-map character, and finely rendered contours make it both a functional geographic document and a compelling historical artifact.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Tupelo
- Farmington
- Verona
- Saltillo
- Mooreville
- Lee County
- Various roads and trails
- Contours representing hills and valleys
- Water bodies such as lakes and rivers
- Railroads and railway lines
Historical context & cartographic details
- Map name: Tupelo
- Produced by the US Geological Survey
- Created in 1921
- Scale: 1:48,000
- Special feature noted as “advance”
- Depicts Tupelo, Mississippi, and its surrounding areas
- Shows contour lines indicating elevation changes, with contour intervals every 20 feet
- The US Geological Survey is known for producing detailed topographic maps for scientific research and public use
- The 1921 landscape has likely changed considerably due to urban development, infrastructure changes, and environmental factors
- The design emphasizes functional clarity, typical of USGS topographic maps from this era
Looking for a particular place? Review the detailed images to confirm that the town, landmark or feature you have in mind appears on the map. If you are unsure, ask our workshop to check before you order.
Detailed maps are especially rewarding at larger sizes, where names, boundaries and decorative features have more room to be appreciated. Use the close-up preview and size guide to choose the right scale for your wall.
This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). 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.
Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. See personalised map examples.
Every piece is printed to museum-grade archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte paper. Choose an unframed map print, framed map or canvas using the finish options above. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.
With its rich detail and strong sense of place, this map makes a considered gift for a new home, anniversary, retirement or anyone with a personal connection to the area shown. Still deciding? Explore our collection of rare old and vintage maps to discover another place, period or style.
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.
Many of our maps and art prints are chosen as thoughtful gifts for homes, offices, studies and meaningful places.
Choose a framed option for the easiest ready-to-hang gift, or choose an unframed print if the recipient may prefer to select their own frame.
We make orders locally in 23 countries around the world, so gifts can often be produced close to the recipient. This helps them arrive faster, travel more safely, and avoid customs or import duty surprises.
- We can deliver directly to the recipient
- Framed pieces arrive ready to hang
- Unframed prints are carefully packed in a strong protective tube
- Almost every order is made locally, for faster, safer gifting
- 90-day returns give the recipient time to decide
If you are not sure what to choose, please contact us. We can help you pick the right map, size, finish or delivery option.
Most orders are made locally and delivered in around 2–3 working days, depending on the product, size and destination.
We print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world, so your order is usually made close to you or your recipient. That means faster delivery, less time in transit, and no customs or import duty surprises.
Personalised and customised pieces usually take an extra 1–2 working days, because we prepare your design and send it to you for approval before printing.
Very large framed orders can take a little longer, as they need extra care in production and delivery.
Every order is carefully packaged: unframed prints are sent in a strong protective tube, while framed pieces are securely packed with protective materials around the frame.
If you need your order by a particular date, please contact us before ordering. We’ll check the best production route and delivery option for your location.
Express delivery is available at checkout for most countries. Next-day delivery is available in the UK, US, Singapore and the UAE.
Your order is covered by our 90-day returns policy and 10-year guarantee.
Our standard frame is a gallery-style black ash hardwood frame, with a simple, modern look. It is approximately 20mm (0.8in) wide. You can also view some lovely customer photos of framed maps and art.
We use super-clear acrylic glazing, also known as Perspex or Acrylite, instead of traditional glass. It is lighter, safer, and has lower reflectivity, giving the artwork a clearer, cleaner appearance.
Six standard frame colours are available at no extra cost: black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white, and antique gold. Custom framing and mounting/matting is also available for customers looking for something more specific.
Most maps, art prints, and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced wooden box frame, and then float the piece within a wooden outer frame. The finished result is beautifully presented, with no glazing between you and the artwork.
All frames are supplied ready to hang, with either string or brackets fitted to the back. Very large frames will include heavy-duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
We can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag, and other materials.
If you would prefer to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read our size guide before ordering.
Every Unique Maps piece begins with an authentic cartographic source or an original design from our London studio.
For our historic maps, we source rare originals from libraries, archives, auction houses and private collections around the world. We carefully restore each map for print—repairing age-related damage, balancing colour and improving clarity while preserving its original detail, texture and character.
Once restored, the map is prepared for your chosen size and finish. Your piece is then printed and, where selected, framed close to its delivery destination.
Our map prints use acid-free 200gsm archival matte paper and fade-resistant pigment inks, creating a rich, non-glossy finish designed to last. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.
Canvas, cotton-rag and other specialist presentations are also available. Learn more about our materials and finishes.
Personalising your map
You can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. For personalised designs, we send a proof before printing and you can request changes before approval.
For more complex bespoke commissions, contact our design team.
Original or Aged
Choose Original for true-to-source colour, or Aged for a warmer, richer antique character created with our specialist ageing process. See examples of our Aged maps.
We’ve been restoring and producing maps and art prints since 1984, and we stand behind every piece.
Every order is covered by our 10-year guarantee and damage-free delivery guarantee. If your piece arrives damaged, we’ll replace or remake it free of charge. If anything else isn’t right, contact our workshop team and we’ll put it right promptly.
See our returns and refund policy for full details.
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