Rare Old Map of Cheshire by Samuel Lewis, 1844: Warrington, Stockport, Chester, Macclesfield, and Crewe

Delve into the rich history and beauty of Cheshire County with this authentic, intricately detailed map from 1844, crafted by the renowned mapmaker, Samuel Lewis. This historical treasure serves not only as an artistic piece of interest but also as a snapshot of an era when cities were emerging and the face of England was rapidly evolving. Discover the foundations of modern settlements, many of which have transformed into bustling metropolises of today, yet some might not be on this map, or excitingly, they might be represented under an earlier name.

This map of Cheshire County is a true reflection of the 19th-century topography and settlement patterns. Each meticulous detail, from the beautifully rendered boundaries to the accurately placed rivers, unfolds a fascinating narrative of the past, taking you back to a time when the Industrial Revolution was reshaping the country. With the historical events from 1800 to 1850 such as the opening of the Stockport Viaduct in 1840, the founding of the Chester railway station in 1848, and the Salt mining boom, this map is more than a cartographical representation—it's a story of Cheshire's historical journey.

Settlements in Cheshire (Order by Modern Day Population Size):

• Warrington (Roman times): Known for its role in the English Civil War and its thriving industrial development in the 18th century.
• Stockport (1st century AD): Famous for hat-making, and home to the Stockport Viaduct, a significant symbol of the Industrial Revolution.
• Chester (79 AD): Founded by the Romans, it boasts a well-preserved Roman wall and Tudor-style half-timber buildings.
• Crewe (1837): Though young, Crewe was vital in the Railway Age, which its Heritage Centre highlights today.
• Runcorn (914 AD): Historically important for its strategic position, and as a center for the chemical industry.
• Macclesfield (13th century): Known for its silk industry in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.
• Ellesmere Port (18th century): Developed as an outlet to the sea from Ellesmere Canal.
• Nantwich (Roman times): Known for its salt production from Roman times and its half-timbered buildings.
• Northwich (Roman times): Known for its Roman salt mining heritage.
• Wilmslow (1086 AD): Recorded in the Domesday Book and today known for its affluent lifestyle.
• Winsford (pre-1280): An old salt town that prospered during the industrial revolution.
• Congleton (1272): Known as "Beartown" due to a legend about bear-baiting in medieval times.
• Sandbach (9th century): Known for its Saxon crosses in the town square.
• Neston (11th century): An old market town known for its historic mining industry.
• Middlewich (Roman times): Another town known for its salt production from Roman times.
• Alsager (pre-1880): A town developed around the railway station.
• Knutsford (1086 AD): A charming town known for its historic buildings and culture.
• Poynton (11th century): Historically a mining town, known for coal and later, for copper mining.
• Frodsham (11th century): Nestled near the River Mersey, known for its historic market.
• Bollington (13th century): Known for its cotton spinning mills during the Industrial Revolution.
• Haslington (11th century): A small village mentioned in the Domesday Book.
• Holmes Chapel (13th century): Known for its well-preserved historical architecture.
• Disley (13th century): Boasts of the beautiful Lyme Park.
• Tarporley (13th century): Known for its beautiful half-timbered buildings.
• Prestbury (12th century): Known for its historic black and white timbered buildings.
• Weaverham (8th century): An ancient settlement with rich historical heritage.
• Kelsall (12th century): Known for its agricultural heritage and beautiful scenery.
• Audlem (13th century): A picturesque village known for its historic church and canal.
• Handforth (13th century): Known for its rich textile history and its historic Deanwater Hotel.

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 all sizes: 8x10in (20.5x25.5cm), 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 24x36in (61x91.5cm), 30x40in (76x101.5cm) and 37x50in (94x127cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 50in (127cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45.5x61cm) 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 main collection of UK and Ireland maps.

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.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

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 in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

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

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

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

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 are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

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

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map 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 unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps 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.