Old Map of Halifax, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia & New Brunswick by Bartholomew, 1922

Immerse yourself in the maritime legacy of early twentieth-century Canada with "Maritime Provinces & Newfoundland," a masterful 1922 cartographic work by the celebrated John George Bartholomew. This exquisite map, originally published in the esteemed Times Atlas & Gazetteer of the World, marks a pivotal transition in the art and science of mapmaking. Bartholomew’s vision brought forth a new era of accuracy and elegance, replacing the earlier 1895 Andree maps and setting a new standard for geographic scholarship. The map’s detailed depiction of the Maritime Provinces—Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island—and the then-independent Newfoundland, captures a region shaped by centuries of seafaring, trade, and cultural exchange.

Bartholomew’s artistry is immediately evident in the use of hypsometric tints, a sophisticated technique that employs color gradations to reveal the subtle undulations of the land. The physical geography of the region comes alive, from the forested Cape Breton Highlands to the rolling hills and river valleys of New Brunswick. Bathymetric shading brings the surrounding seas into sharp relief, with the dramatic depths of the Bay of Fundy and the Gulf of St. Lawrence rendered in captivating detail. The map’s meticulous hand-coloring and elegant typography evoke the golden age of atlas production, making it as much a work of art as a navigational tool.

Beyond its visual allure, this map is a document of a transformative historical moment. Created when Newfoundland was still a separate dominion, it presents the political boundaries and county divisions of a region on the cusp of change. The marked shipping routes, complete with precise distances, speak to the enduring importance of maritime commerce and the daily rhythms of life shaped by the Atlantic. Inset with a detailed plan of Halifax—then, as now, a bustling port city—the map provides both a grand overview and a focused study of one of the region’s most vital urban centers.

The map’s surface is a tapestry of human settlement and natural wonder. From the storied cities of Halifax, Saint John, and St. John’s to the smaller towns dotting the coastlines and riverbanks, each community is carefully inscribed, bearing witness to the growth and diversity of the Maritime provinces. Major rivers such as the Saint John and Miramichi carve their way across the landscape, while the intricate coastlines of Cape Breton Island, the Avalon Peninsula, and Prince Edward Island are rendered with a cartographer’s loving precision. Notably, the map’s absence of national parks or historic landmarks reflects its period focus, yet the land and sea themselves stand as enduring monuments to the region’s rich natural and cultural heritage.

John George Bartholomew, often hailed as “the Prince of Cartographers,” imbued this map with both scientific rigor and artistic grace. His pioneering work in thematic and physical mapping is on full display, offering a window into the evolving understanding of Canada’s easternmost provinces. This map is not merely a record of geography—it is a testament to the era’s intellectual curiosity, technical innovation, and the timeless allure of exploration. For collectors and connoisseurs, "Maritime Provinces & Newfoundland" is a rare opportunity to own a piece of cartographic history, resonant with the stories of the land, the sea, and the people who have called this region home.

Cities and towns on this map

• Nova Scotia
• Halifax
• Sydney
• New Glasgow
• Truro
• Amherst
• Kentville
• Yarmouth
• Bridgewater
• Antigonish

• Windsor

• New Brunswick

• Moncton
• Saint John
• Fredericton
• Bathurst
• Edmundston
• Campbellton
• Miramichi (then Chatham/Newcastle)
• Sackville

• Woodstock

• Prince Edward Island

• Charlottetown

• Summerside

• Newfoundland (now Newfoundland and Labrador)

• St. John’s
• Corner Brook
• Grand Falls (now Grand Falls-Windsor)
• Gander

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Provincial boundaries for Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland
• County boundaries within each province, clearly delineated
• Major rivers, including the Saint John River and Miramichi River
• Bay of Fundy, noted for its significant tidal range
• Gulf of St. Lawrence, a key maritime waterway
• Cabot Strait, the channel between Newfoundland and Cape Breton Island
• Bathymetric shading indicating the continental shelf and underwater features
• Shipping routes across the North Atlantic, with distances marked
• Detailed inset map of Halifax and its harbor
• Coastal features such as Cape Breton Island, the Isthmus of Chignecto, and the Avalon Peninsula
• Numerous islands, including Prince Edward Island and the Magdalen Islands
• Lighthouses and navigational aids marked along the coastlines
• Spot heights indicating notable elevations, such as the Cape Breton Highlands
• Forested and mountainous areas depicted through color shading

Historical and design context

• Original title: Maritime Provinces & Newfoundland
• Created by renowned British cartographer John George Bartholomew in 1922
• Published as part of "The Times Atlas & Gazetteer of the World," representing a major advancement in cartographic technology and accuracy
• First Times Atlas edition to use Bartholomew’s maps, replacing earlier Andree maps from 1895
• Scale: 1:1,500,000, allowing for detailed exploration and reference
• Uses hypsometric tints (color shading) and spot heights to illustrate terrain elevation
• Bathymetric tints show underwater features and sea depths
• Reflects the political boundaries and county divisions of the period, including Newfoundland as a separate dominion (pre-1949)
• Emphasizes both political boundaries and physical geography
• Represents the evolving nature of geographic knowledge and presentation 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 70in (180cm). 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.

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 for a no-quibble refund.

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 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

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 - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

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.