South Africa & Madagascar — Wall Map by J. Bartholomew & Son Ltd (1952)
Ocean-lipped capes, escarpments falling to savannah, and island highlands rising from deep water—this 1952 classic from J. Bartholomew & Son Ltd., Edinburgh gathers South Africa and Madagascar into one poised, topographic portrait. Fine hill-shading, disciplined place-naming and clear hydrography turn a complex region into calm, legible geography. Part atlas plate, part showcase, it brings a mid-century vision of the subcontinent to your wall—authoritative, elegant, enduring.
Why it captivates
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Topographic clarity — meticulous hill-shading and relief make ranges, plateaus and coastal shelves read at a glance.
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Dense, readable naming — towns, rivers, capes and provinces arranged in a balanced, room-length hierarchy.
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Atlas pedigree — produced by J. Bartholomew & Son Ltd and edited by J. Bartholomew, M.A., leaders of British cartography.
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Scholarly & beautiful — restrained colour and precise draughting that reward both overview and close study.
What you’ll see
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South Africa & Madagascar on one sheet, with adjacent waters and regional context.
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Physical features & hydrography—escarpments, ranges, river systems and coastlines rendered with classic Bartholomew shading.
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Transport & settlement pattern—principal roads/rails and a disciplined lattice of place names.
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Period finish preserved—titlework, neatline and calm typography.
A richer historical frame
By 1952, Bartholomew’s Edinburgh studio was at full stride—combining accurate survey sources with a house style famous for hill-shading and clean, modern lettering. This sheet captures that synthesis: evidence arranged with care, presenting a continent’s southern rim and its great island neighbour with clarity that still feels fresh.
Choose your finish
Heavyweight Paper (160 gsm matte)
Best for: framing under glass in studies and living spaces
Look & feel: non-glare matte that preserves fine linework and small labels
Laminated (true encapsulation)
Best for: classrooms, libraries, offices and shared spaces
Build: sealed edge-to-edge between two 80-micron gloss sheets
Benefit: wipe-clean, durable, moisture-resistant
Laminated + Timber Hang Rails (Ready to hang)
What you get: encapsulated print plus natural lacquered timber rails top & bottom with a discreet hanging cord
Where it shines: foyers, council buildings, museums—polished look with everyday toughness
Install: arrives ready to hang (just add a wall hook)
Lead time: please allow up to 10 working days for professional rail mounting
Archival Canvas (395 gsm HP Professional Matte)
Best for: premium interiors, boardrooms and galleries
Print system: pigment-based, fade-resistant inks for long display life
Presence: textured surface adds warmth and museum-style depth
Canvas + Timber Hang Rails (Gallery-ready)
What you get: canvas fitted with natural timber rails top & bottom, matching cord
Where it shines: statement walls, curated cartography displays
Install: ready to hang; single-hook friendly
Lead time: please allow up to 10 working days for rail mounting
Sizes (W × H)
At-a-glance materials
Option |
Best for |
Key benefits |
Paper (160 gsm) |
Framing under glass |
Matte clarity; crisp shaded relief |
Laminated (encapsulated) |
Busy/shared spaces |
Wipeable; tough; edge-to-edge protection |
Laminated + Rails |
Ready-to-hang public display |
Professional mount; easy install; durable |
Canvas (395 gsm) |
Premium display |
Archival inks; textured depth; gallery appeal |
Canvas + Rails |
Gallery-ready feature |
Period-true presentation; simple hanging |
Styling ideas
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Study or library: frame the paper edition; add a brass picture light for warm, scholarly tone.
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Museum or council foyer: choose Laminated + Rails for a polished, robust display.
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Boardroom or lounge: canvas with rails above timber cabinetry for quiet authority.
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Travel wall: pair with a caption card noting family places or routes.
Specifications
Detail |
Description |
Title |
South Africa & Madagascar — Wall Map |
Edition |
1952 |
Cartographer/Publisher |
J. Bartholomew & Son Ltd., Edinburgh |
Editor |
J. Bartholomew, M.A. |
Region |
South Africa and Madagascar (with surrounding context) |
Type |
Mid-century topographic/physical map |
Content Highlights |
Place names; physical features; shaded relief; hydrography; transport pattern; period lettering & neatline |
Finishes |
Paper; Laminated (encapsulated); Laminated + Timber Rails; Canvas; Canvas + Timber Rails
|
Lead Time (Rails) |
Up to 10 working days (laminated or canvas with rails) |
Orientation |
Landscape |
Sizes |
1000 × 700 mm; 1300 × 1000 mm
|
Production |
Made in Australia |
Who it’s for
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Geographers, educators & libraries teaching African physical and human landscapes
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Collectors of classic British atlas cartography
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Interior designers seeking refined mid-century mapping with global scope
Claim your wall. Choose Paper for crisp, frame-ready clarity. Go Laminated + Timber Rails for tough, ready-to-hang polish. Step up to Archival Canvas + Timber Hang Rails for gallery weight. Printed in Australia with pigment-based, fade-resistant inks.