Rare Old Ordnance Survey Map, Sheet 97 - Colchester, 1925: Brightlingsea, Braintree, Halstead, Witham, Dedham Vale AONB

The Old Ordnance Survey Map, Sheet 97 - Colchester, 1925, offers a fascinating glimpse into the past with its detailed depiction of the historic county of Colchester in England. This map showcases not only the town of Colchester but also other significant towns, cities, and features of the region, including Brightlingsea, Braintree, Halstead, Witham, and the picturesque Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

This meticulously crafted map is a valuable resource for history enthusiasts, cartography aficionados, and anyone interested in exploring the rich heritage of the area. It provides a unique opportunity to trace the development and changes that have occurred over the years. It is important to note that while some modern cities may not be represented on this map, it offers the exciting prospect of discovering earlier names for certain locations.

Colchester, the main focus of this map, is a town steeped in history. As the oldest recorded Roman town in Britain, it boasts a wealth of ancient landmarks and archaeological sites. The map allows you to explore Colchester's Roman walls, the impressive Colchester Castle, and the historic town center, providing a deeper understanding of its significance throughout the centuries. Additionally, the inclusion of other towns like Brightlingsea, Braintree, Halstead, and Witham offers a broader perspective on the region's historical development and cultural heritage.

Notable settlements and features shown on this map include:

• Colchester: The oldest recorded Roman town in Britain, known for its Roman walls, Colchester Castle, and historic town center.
• Brightlingsea: A charming coastal town known for its maritime heritage, shipbuilding, and picturesque harbor.
• Braintree: A historic market town with a rich textile industry heritage, known for its wool and silk production.
• Halstead: A quaint market town renowned for its traditional architecture, historic buildings, and rural surroundings.
• Witham: A market town with a long history, featuring notable buildings such as the medieval parish church of St. Nicolas and the Victorian railway viaduct.
• Dedham Vale AONB: A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering stunning landscapes, picturesque villages, and the inspiration for renowned landscape painter John Constable.

Close to these settlements and areas, you will find fascinating natural features and boundaries, including:

• River Colne: A prominent river that flows through Colchester and the surrounding region, offering scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.
• River Blackwater: A significant river that passes near Brightlingsea, known for its estuary and maritime activities.
• Stour Valley: A picturesque area encompassing Dedham Vale, where the rivers Stour and Brett converge, providing idyllic countryside views and inspiring renowned artists.

This map also provides insights into two historical events that occurred in the region within 20 years before 1925:

• The Great War (World War I): A devastating global conflict that had a profound impact on the region and the nation as a whole.
• The Suffrage Movement: The fight for women's right to vote, which gained momentum in the early 20th century and had a significant impact on society and politics.

Immerse yourself in the history, geography, and cultural heritage of Colchester and its surrounding region with this captivating Old Ordnance Survey Map from 1925.

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), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 24x36in (61x91.5cm), 30x40in (76x101.5cm), 37x50in (94x127cm), 45x60in (114x152.5cm) and 52x70in (132x178cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 90in (229cm). 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.

The labels on this map are very small at 12x16in (30.5x41cm). The map is still very attractive, but you may struggle to read the smallest letters. Please buy a larger map if it's important to be able to read the map easily.

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.