Rare Old Map of Guernsey by Samuel Lewis, 1844: St. Peter Port, St. Sampson, Vale, Castel, Sark

This old map of the Island of Guernsey, Channel Islands, created by Samuel Lewis in 1844, is a captivating piece of history that offers a glimpse into the past. With its intricate details and exquisite craftsmanship, this map serves as a testament to the artistry and precision of cartographers from the 19th century.

Featuring the main towns, cities, and other fascinating features of Guernsey, this map showcases the island's rich heritage. It is important to note that some modern cities may not be depicted on this map, while others may appear under earlier names, adding an element of excitement and discovery for history enthusiasts.

Notable settlements founded before 1840 and located within the historical boundaries of the Island of Guernsey, Channel Islands, include:

• St. Peter Port (1200): The capital and largest town of Guernsey, known for its charming harbor and historic architecture.
• St. Sampson (600): A town with a long history, featuring a picturesque harbor and a vibrant community.
• Vale (600): A parish in the north of the island, known for its beautiful coastline and rural landscapes.
• Castel (600): Home to several historic sites, including the 800-year-old Castle Cornet, which stands proudly on a rocky islet.
• Sark (1565): A small island located east of Guernsey, famous for its stunning cliffs, car-free environment, and feudal system of government.

Other notable settlements include:

• St. Martin (550): A parish with a rich agricultural heritage and beautiful countryside.
• St. Andrew (550): A parish known for its rural charm and historical landmarks.
• Forest (550): A picturesque parish with lush woodlands and scenic walking trails.
• St. Pierre du Bois (550): A peaceful parish with charming rural landscapes and historic sites.
• Torteval (550): A tranquil parish boasting scenic cliffs, secluded beaches, and a sense of serenity.
• St. Saviour (550): A parish with a mix of rural and residential areas, featuring quaint cottages and beautiful gardens.
• St. Martin's Point (550): A scenic headland offering breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline.
• Les Vauxbelets (550): A tranquil area known for its natural beauty and historic buildings.
• Les Adams (550): A charming hamlet with a rich agricultural heritage.
• Le Villocq (550): A picturesque area featuring rolling hills and traditional Guernsey farmhouses.
• Le Catioroc (550): A stunning coastal area renowned for its rugged cliffs and panoramic views.
• Le Coudre (550): A peaceful hamlet surrounded by scenic countryside.
• Le Foulon (550): A coastal area with beautiful beaches and panoramic vistas.
• Le Gouffre (550): A captivating natural phenomenon, featuring a dramatic cliff formation and a picturesque cove.
• Le Guet (550): A headland offering panoramic views of the island's coastline.
• Le Houmet (550): A charming coastal area with sandy beaches and rocky outcrops.
• Le Marais (550): A tranquil marshland area teeming with wildlife and natural beauty.
• Le Neuf Chemin (550): A scenic road connecting various parts of the island, offering stunning views along the way.
• Le Picquerel (550): A picturesque area with rolling hills and idyllic countryside.
• Le Platon (550): A peaceful area with beautiful rural landscapes and traditional Guernsey farmsteads.
• Le Port (550): A coastal area featuring a picturesque harbor and stunning views of the sea.
• Le Vallon (550): A charming valley area with lush greenery and scenic walking paths.
• Les Adams (550): A small hamlet known for its tranquility and natural beauty.
• Les Buttes (550): A scenic area with rolling hills and panoramic views.
• Les Camps (550): A coastal area boasting sandy beaches and rocky cliffs.
• Les Merriennes (550): A picturesque area with a mix of farmland and natural beauty.

Notable boundaries, rivers, and natural phenomena in modern-day Island of Guernsey, Channel Islands, include:

• Little Russel: A narrow strait separating Guernsey from the island of Herm.
• Rousse: A river that flows through the island's interior, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities.
• Cobo Bay: A popular beach known for its golden sands and stunning sunsets.
• Pleinmont Point: A headland featuring breathtaking cliffs and panoramic views of the coastline.
• L'Ancresse Common: A large area of open land with heathland and sand dunes, providing a haven for wildlife.

Between 1800 and 1850, the Island of Guernsey, Channel Islands, experienced several notable historical events, including:

• Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815): Guernsey played a significant role during the Napoleonic Wars as a strategic British outpost, fortifying its defenses against potential French invasions.
• Abolition of Slavery (1833): The British Parliament passed the Slavery Abolition Act in 1833, which had a significant impact on the Channel Islands, including Guernsey, as it marked the beginning of the end of the transatlantic slave trade.

Owning this old map of Guernsey by Samuel Lewis from 1844 allows you to delve into the island's rich history, explore its captivating towns and landmarks, and appreciate the artistry of cartography from the 19th 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 all sizes: 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x30in (61x76cm), 32x40in (81.5x102cm) and 40x50in (102x127cm), 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 16x20in (40.5x51cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

Please note the unframed 24x30in (61x76cm) map has white edges around the map. These edges can help you with framing, or if you don’t need them they are very easy to snip off with scissors. All other maps, including the framed maps, look exactly like the listing images.

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.