MAIL STEAMSHIP ROUTES is Leslie MacDonald Gill’s spirited 1937 celebration of the ocean-going arteries that carried Britain’s correspondence to the world. Commissioned by the General Post Office at the height of the great liner era, it distills the logistics of interwar communication into a vibrant panorama of movement, commerce, and connection. Gill transforms postal infrastructure into narrative—routes stream from the British Isles across the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, binding continents in a confident geometry of lines and legends. The composition’s color-rich surface and deft pictorial cues make a complex subject immediately intelligible, while the bold title anchors the whole with the official assurance of a nation in motion.

Gill unites functional geography with theatrical design. Clear pathways trace the principal mail steamship routes, while color-coded regions distinguish continents and key countries at a glance. Major oceans are named with an engraver’s poise, and the world is encircled by an ornate border that elevates utility into ornament. At the crest sits Gill’s newly conceived General Post Office emblem—a masterstroke of modern branding—binding cartography and graphic design into a single state-sanctioned image. Every letterform, scroll, and compass flourish collaborates to transform postal data into a stage on which the empire of correspondence performs.

Along the base, eleven exquisite vignettes recount the evolution of seafaring, from the age of King Alfred to the streamlining triumph of the RMS Queen Mary. These cameo scenes are more than decoration: they are a brisk syllabus in maritime progress, charting the leap from oared and wind-driven craft to turbine-driven giants capable of knitting the hemispheres to a timetable. By aligning ship typologies with postal ambition, Gill shows how advances in hull, rig, and engine translated into speed, reliability, and reach—qualities on which the punctuality of the mail, and the credibility of the state, depended.

Geographically expansive yet narratively tight, the map surveys North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and even the Antarctic fringe, caressing coastlines and corridors that mattered to the post. The United States and Canada loom as Atlantic waypoints; Brazil anchors South America; South Africa stands sentinel at the meeting of oceans; Japan and the Chinese Republic beckon from the Pacific; Australia completes the circuit of imperial correspondence. Europe’s dense lattice—France, Spain, Germany, Italy—speaks to historic proximity and perennial exchange. The result is a synoptic portrait of 1930s globalism, expressed through the discipline of scheduled ships and stamped envelopes.

As an artifact of early twentieth‑century statecraft and design, Gill’s work harmonizes information and allure. It captures the General Post Office at its most ambitious—broadcasting efficiency, reach, and modern identity through a map that invites both study and admiration. The palette glows, the linework persuades, and the storytelling flows from emblem to border, from title to tide. Here, postal history becomes a grand narrative of oceans crossed and promises kept, a witness to the era when the world’s news, contracts, and intimacies rode the wake of steam and steel.

Countries and regions on this map

• North America
• South America
• Europe
• Asia
• Africa
• Antarctica
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• British Isles
• France
• Spain
• Germany
• Italy
• Japan
• Australia
• Chinese Republic
• Brazil
• South Africa

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Steamship Routes: Clearly marked pathways illustrating various international mail routes.
• Color-Coded Regions: Different colors to denote continents and key countries.
• Vignettes: Decorative illustrations showcasing ships through history located at the bottom.
• Title and Logo: Prominently features the title "MAIL STEAMSHIP ROUTES" and the GPO logo.
• Illustrations of Historical Ships: Various historical vessels depicted in the vignettes.
• Artistic Encapsulation: Framed with ornate borders, enhancing visual appeal.
• Geographical Elements: Major oceans labeled like the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Historical and design context

• Map Name: Mail Steamship Routes
• Created By: Leslie MacDonald Gill
• Publication Year: 1937
• Commissioned By: The General Post Office
• Key Theme: Illustrates the steamship routes for international mail from the UK in the 1930s.
• Visual Narrative: Features intricate illustrations that depict the importance of maritime transport for the postal system, highlighting historical contexts and connections.
• Vignettes: Contains eleven vignettes showcasing the evolution of sailing vessels, from King Alfred's time to the RMS Queen Mary, providing a historical overview of maritime transport.
• Design Elements: Includes a newly designed General Post Office logo by MacDonald Gill, merging graphic design and postal history.
• Style: The map is colorful and richly detailed, presenting a combination of functional geographic illustration and artistic elements.
• Historical Significance: Serves as an artifact reflecting the significance of mail transport and the maritime industry in the early 20th century.

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 16x20in (40x50cm) 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.

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.

Read our full delivery and local production guide

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.

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 and I'll get it fixed ASAP, free of charge. Please see my returns and refund policy for more information.

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 5,000 real 5-star reviews. My work has been featured in interior design magazines, on the BBC, and on the walls of dozens of 5-star hotels.

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. I stand by my products and will always make sure you're 100% happy with what you receive.

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.