Stanford's Folio North America Map published 1884

Borders, Relief & Telegraphs — Stanford’s North America Wall Map (1884)

A snapshot of a continent in the late nineteenth century, rendered with clarity and restraint. This North America sheet—published by Edward Stanford in 1884 and reproduced from the Edward Stanford Cartographic Collection—uses bright tints to distinguish international boundaries with corresponding state/provincial borders in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Hachures model mountain ranges, prominent peaks carry heights (in feet), and numerous smaller rivers are named. A 5° graticule aids orientation, and submarine telegraph cables trace the era’s long-distance connections. It’s the fabric of North America—legible, comparative, and unmistakably of its time—made to study, admire, and display.

More Than a Map – A Testament to History

This isn’t just wall art—it’s a reference frame for borders and infrastructure on the eve of the twentieth century. See Panama still within Colombia; Greenland and Iceland in Danish colours; the Dakotas shown as a single territory; Oklahoma as Indian Territory with the panhandle marked Public Lands. In Canada, northern provincial limits sit farther south than today, with Assiniboia (southern Saskatchewan) and Athabasca (northern Alberta) labelled. Coverage reaches the Parry Islands (now the Queen Elizabeth Islands), with only the southeastern coast of Ellesmere depicted, and the Caribbean islands tinted by colonial power. Ideal for educators, historians, genealogists, designers, and collectors, it pairs beautifully with modern political maps for then-and-now comparisons.

Hang it in studios, libraries, classrooms, museums, offices, or at home to invite reflection, study, and conversation.

Premium Materials & Finishes

We treat history with the respect it deserves. That’s why we offer multiple formats, each produced using high-quality materials and modern archival printing.

🌟 Archival Paper Print
Printed on heavyweight 160gsm archival-grade paper.
Smooth matte finish reduces glare and preserves fine linework and small labels.
Ideal for framing under glass—clean, timeless, and built to last.

💎 Laminated Edition
Encapsulated in two sheets of 80-micron gloss laminate using true thermal bonding—not just surface lamination.
Moisture-resistant, wipe-clean surface—perfect for classrooms and high-traffic reference spaces.
Great for research: use whiteboard markers or apply map dots to mark locations without permanently altering the map.

Optional Natural Timber Hang Rails: lacquered rails with a fitted hanging cord provide a polished, ready-to-hang presentation—no frame required. (Please allow up to 10 working days for delivery with hang rails.)

🏆 Museum-Quality Canvas
Printed on heavyweight 395gsm HP Professional Matte Canvas for rich texture and exceptional strength.
Pigment-based, fade-resistant inks deliver deep tone and crisp typography that endure for generations.

Optional Natural Timber Hang Rails: lacquered to enhance the wood grain and protect against wear; top cord for effortless hanging—elegant in any setting. (Please allow up to 10 working days for delivery with hang rails.)

Specifications

Why Choose This Map

✔ Era-True Snapshot: Borders and jurisdictions exactly as Stanford mapped them in 1884.
✔ Comparative Clarity: 5° graticule, hachures, and bright tints make complex geography instantly readable.
✔ Research-Friendly: Laminated option supports dry-erase notes and map dots for projects and genealogy.
✔ Decorative & Scholarly: Strong wall presence with genuine reference value.
✔ Archival Craft: Premium substrates and inks preserve contrast, labels, and linework for decades.

Our Commitment

We believe that preserving history is as important as telling it. Every map is printed locally in Australia using state-of-the-art technology, carefully checked by hand, and packed with care. From the moment it leaves our workshop to the day it hangs on your wall, we ensure quality you can trust and a legacy you’ll be proud to share.

Bring a century-old North American canvas into focus. Order the Stanford’s North America Wall Map (1884) today—a faithful, beautifully produced sheet that turns a room into a conversation.