Unlock a window to the past with our personalised old map centred on Darlington, a location where history and personal stories intertwine. Imagine owning a piece of history that vividly portrays Darlington's transformation over the years. This map isn't just a visual delight; it's a perfect gift for history aficionados or a cherished memento for those with fond memories of the town. Whether it's the ideal housewarming present or a unique gift for a birthday, the map fosters a connection to the past while adding a personalised touch to any setting.
Journey through the historical landscapes that include areas where the illustrious St. Cuthbert's Church stands today, or catch a glimpse of the vicinity around Darlington Railway Station, a landmark in the history of rail transport. Picture the past before the Darlington Civic Theatre was built or imagine the land surrounding the Market Square during its earlier days. The map may also reveal the area around South Park, an oasis of greenery in the town’s history.
Our Darlington map is entirely customisable. Centre it on your home, a family treasure, or a meaningful spot, and mark significant locations with symbols or notes to narrate your personal story. Add a heartfelt dedication, or infuse humour with a whimsical title and subtitle. Each map is a unique creation, tailored to reflect personal memories and moments, made possible through meticulous customisation.
Your personalised map could focus on these suburbs & neighbourhoods in Darlington
- Northgate
- Eastbourne
- Haughton
- Cockerton
- Brinkburn
- Mowden
- Red Hall
- Faverdale
- Lingfield
- Skerne Park
Crafted to the highest standards, each map is printed using the giclée technique on archival-grade paper or artist's cotton canvas, ensuring vibrant colours and lasting quality. Choose from an array of framing options, including sleek acrylite glazing or an elegant FSC-certified wooden frame to complement your style. For a more distinguished finish, consider selecting a "float framed" stretched canvas map, transforming your map into a timeless piece of art.
Our map of Darlington is based on original Ordnance Survey maps, dating from the 1870s to the 1960s. These maps were meticulously crafted to provide accurate geographical information, celebrated for their aesthetic appeal and precise detailing. The 6-inch series from the Victorian era and the later 1:10,000 series offer a captivating journey through time, showcasing the evolution of Darlington while serving as a testament to the art of cartography.
Please note you are purchasing a fully customised old map. Modern landmarks, such as your house, may not have been built yet! You can contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.
Generally, larger maps look much better than smaller maps, because you can enjoy all of the smaller details. If you need a smaller map, I would suggest ‘zooming in’ so that the map covers a smaller area.
Because these maps are custom made to order, we can make you a map that looks great at at any size, from very small (8x10in/20x25cm) all the way to a few metres. If you are looking for a very large map, please get in touch.
The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this map.
Every map can be personalised or customised, for example if you want to mark your house or street on the map. The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.
This personalised map would make a wonderful housewarming, birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, Mother’s Day, wedding anniversary or work leaving gift for someone from Darlington, or someone who works there.
This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or on artist’s cotton canvas. Several frame choices are available for free, or custom framing is available for an additional fee. Please get in touch if you’re looking to order a very large map for a hotel or office, or if you’re looking for a size that isn’t available on my shop.
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.
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.
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.
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