Rare Old Ordnance Survey Map, Sheet 109 - Pontypridd & Barry, 1925: Cardiff, Bridgend, Porthcawl, Newport, and Caerphilly

This old Ordnance Survey map, Sheet 109 - Pontypridd & Barry, is a fascinating piece of cartographic history from the One-inch "Popular" edition, England and Wales, published in 1925. The map showcases the towns of Pontypridd and Barry, along with several other significant settlements and interesting features in the surrounding area.

Featuring the historic county of Glamorgan, this map provides a glimpse into the past, allowing you to explore the landscape as it was nearly a century ago. While modern cities may not be present on this map, it offers a unique perspective by highlighting earlier names for some locations or capturing their development at a different stage in history.

Notable Major Settlements and Features:

• Cardiff: The capital city of Wales, known for its rich history, iconic landmarks such as Cardiff Castle, and vibrant cultural scene.
• Bridgend: A town historically known for its role in the coal industry and now a bustling commercial center.
• Porthcawl: A popular seaside resort town with beautiful beaches and a rich maritime heritage.
• Newport: A historic port city with a significant industrial past and a strategic location on the River Usk.
• Caerphilly: Home to the impressive Caerphilly Castle, one of the largest fortresses in Europe.

Notable Boundaries, Rivers, and Natural Features:

• River Taff: A major river flowing through Pontypridd and Cardiff, known for its scenic beauty and important role in the industrial development of the region.
• River Usk: Another significant river, flowing through Newport and playing a crucial role in the city's history and trade.
• Brecon Beacons National Park: Located to the north of Pontypridd, this stunning national park offers breathtaking landscapes, including mountains, waterfalls, and ancient ruins.
• Bristol Channel: The map's western boundary, this expansive body of water separates Wales from England and is known for its tidal range and diverse marine life.

Historical Events (within 20 years before 1925):

• The Tonypandy Riots (1910-1911): A series of violent clashes between striking coal miners and the police in the town of Tonypandy, highlighting the tensions and struggles of the working class during the early 20th century.
• The Newport Rising (1839): Although predating the map's publication, this significant event occurred in Newport and involved a Chartist uprising demanding political reform and suffrage rights, leaving a lasting impact on the region's history.

Immerse yourself in the past and explore the towns, cities, and natural wonders of Pontypridd & Barry and their surroundings with this meticulously detailed and historically significant map from 1925. Perfect for history enthusiasts, cartography aficionados, or anyone seeking a unique piece of decor that sparks conversation and transports you to a bygone era.

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: 18x12in (46x30.5cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x36in (61x91.5cm), 30x45in (76x114.5cm), 33x50in (84x127cm), 40x60in (102x153cm) and 47x70in (120x178cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 90in (229cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (61x91.5cm) version of this map.

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

The labels on this map are very small at 12x16in (30.5x41cm). The map is still very attractive, but you may struggle to read the smallest letters. Please buy a larger map if it's important to be able to read the map easily.

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.