Tableau Sphéroïdal de la Terre ou Mappemonde en Deux Hémisphères, created by F.A. Garnier in 1860, is a rare and intellectually daring vision of the world at a pivotal moment in nineteenth-century cartography. Conceived for Garnier’s Atlas Sphéroïdal et Universel de Géographie, it arranges the Western and Eastern hemispheres in a compelling dialogue between science and style, inviting the viewer to experience the globe as a three-dimensional body projected with conscious, legible distortion. The composition harmonizes political and physical geography, presenting the continents and oceans with a disciplined clarity that underscores Garnier’s pedagogical purpose. Elegant wash colors, precise linework, and an incisive graticule guide the eye across national borders, mountain systems, and great river basins, all framed within a distinctly modern cartographic language.

Garnier’s innovative spheroidal projection is the beating heart of the work, dramatizing how any attempt to flatten the Earth inevitably reshapes space. By treating the planet’s curvature with uncommon candor, the map reveals the mechanics of distortion rather than hiding them, encouraging a comparative reading of areas, shapes, and distances. Beneath the principal hemispheres, descriptive text is paired with two reduced hemispheres and a global inset on Mercator’s projection—an elegant didactic apparatus that stages a debate between competing world views. Latitude and longitude lines stitch the surfaces into an intelligible net, while the juxtaposition of projections becomes a masterclass in nineteenth-century geographic thought and its aspiration to align truth, utility, and beauty.

The thematic program marries statecraft with natural history. Political boundaries are crisply articulated—United States and Brazil across the Americas, France and Russia anchoring Europe and Asia—while physical features are rendered with equal authority: the great axial mountain chains, arterial rivers, and the continental silhouettes that define human and environmental possibility. The major oceans—the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian—are not merely labeled but thoughtfully subdivided, their basins and passages punctuated by the map’s carefully modulated graticule. Shading conveys elevation on land and graded depths at sea, giving the map a lucid topographic voice that was both current to its time and prescient in its clarity.

A suite of insets extends the cartographic conversation. Circular focus maps bring Africa and Oceania into sharper relief, recognizing their growing scientific and geopolitical salience in mid-century geography. These vignettes operate as lenses that refine scale and context, illuminating coastlines, interior drainage, and emerging colonial boundaries that larger projections can only imply. The complementary Mercator world inset synthesizes global routes and orientations familiar to navigators, while the reduced hemispheres distill spatial relationships at a glance. Together, these elements demonstrate Garnier’s curatorial instinct: to educate by comparison, to refine by contrast, and to enchant by compositional intelligence.

The result is a work of enduring historical significance, reflecting an era when cartography was equal parts measurement and imagination. Garnier’s spheroidal world does not simply record geography; it explains it—translating the complexities of a curved Earth into a legible, modern statement. Its aesthetic poise—elegant washes, judicious labeling, and balanced symmetries—amplifies its scientific ambition, making it as compelling on the wall as it is rigorous on the scholar’s desk. For collectors and connoisseurs, it offers a rare convergence of innovation and beauty: a scarce decorative map that captures the nineteenth century’s confidence in knowledge, and its delight in the art of making the world visible.

Countries and regions on this map

• North America
• South America
• Europe
• Africa
• Asia
• Australia
• Antarctica
• Oceania (inset highlighted)
• Various individual countries within the continents displayed in detail, such as the United States, Brazil, France, and Russia.

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Two major hemispherical maps depicting the western and eastern spheres of the Earth.
• Smaller circular inset maps showing regions like Africa and Oceania.
• Detailed labels for major oceans, such as the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and their subdivisions.
• Clearly demarcated national borders for various countries.
• Major mountain ranges and rivers highlighted.
• Latitude and longitude lines visible throughout the map.
• Use of color shading to represent elevation and ocean depths.

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Tableau Sphéroïdal de la Terre ou Mappemonde en Deux Hémisphères.
• Creator: F.A. Garnier.
• Year of creation: 1860.
• Scarce decorative world map based on Garnier's Spheroidal projection.
• Illustrates the distortion of the earth according to the Spheroidal projection.
• Features descriptive text below with two smaller hemispheres and a world map on Mercator’s projection.
• From the "Atlas Sphéroïdal et Universel de Géographie."
• Themes: Political and physical geography of the world, showcasing continents and oceans.
• Unique spheroidal maps that provide a three-dimensional representation of the globe.
• Maps are characterized by elegant wash colors and a striking visual appearance.
• Cartographic details and design choices reflect the aesthetics of 19th-century mapmaking.
• Garnier's work is of interest due to its innovative approach to cartography during the 19th century.
• The Spheroidal projection highlights the complexities and artistic elements in map creation.

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.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 16in (40cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) 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.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

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 and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) 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).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

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, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

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 and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my 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 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.