Selden&
Selden&
Selden&

Selden's Rare Old Map of China & Asia, 1653: Trade Routes, South China Sea, Illustrations

Regular price$57.00
/
Handmade in Canada
Unique Maps Co. Exclusive
  • FREE worldwide delivery 
    in 2 to 3 days

    Delivery in 2 to 3 days

    Your map should be delivered in 2 to 3 working days with free delivery.

    We make maps by hand locally in 23 countries, including Canada. If you're buying a gift for someone in another country, we will make the map locally to them.

    You will never pay import tax or customs duty.

    Express delivery is available at checkout which can reduce the delivery time to 1 to 2 days.

    Please note that personalised maps, and larger framed maps, can take longer to produce and deliver.

    If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, contact me and we can discuss your options.

    Learn more about delivery times

  • Certified sustainable + 
    we plant trees
     🌳

    Sustainability & Tree Planting

    Here at The Unique Maps Co., we have an unusually high affinity for paper. After all, without paper, there can be no maps!

    That's why all of our paper, frames and packaging are from FSC certified sources.

    But we don't stop there. We've partnered with Treeapp to plant trees around the world.

    If you spend $80 or more, we'll plant a tree in your name.

    Learn more about tree planting & sustainability

  • 30 day money back guarantee

    30 days to return and refund

    Products can be returned within 30 days for a full refund, or exchange for another product.

    For personalised and customised items, we may offer you a non-expiring gift card, as we cannot resell your personalised order.

    If you have any questions, get in touch. For more information, see our full returns & exchanges policy.

Size
Finish
Custom size and finish

Custom size and finish

If you are looking for a size or finish that is not available here, please request it in the "order note" when you check out.

Every order is custom made, so if you need the size adjusted slightly, or printed on an unusual material, just let us know. We've done thousands of custom orders over the years, so there's (almost) nothing we can't manage.

You can also contact us before you order, if you prefer!

(corkboard, jigsaw, rolled canvas, foamboard, etc.) available at checkout

Need help ordering?

WhatsApp me any time or use the contact form


The Selden Map, a masterpiece of early 17th-century cartography, offers a rare glimpse into the vibrant commercial world of East and Southeast Asia. Crafted by an anonymous Chinese cartographer, this map was among the first of its kind to reach European shores. It stands as a testament to the extensive trade networks that thrived during a period often mischaracterized as isolated. This remarkable map showcases the intricate shipping routes emanating from Quanzhou, revealing China's dynamic interactions with regions such as the Philippines, Borneo, and Java.

Unlike traditional imperial maps, the Selden Map was created independently, likely for a wealthy merchant's reference. Its design is both functional and decorative, featuring elaborate illustrations of landscapes and flora. These artistic elements suggest that the map was intended for display in a luxurious setting rather than for practical navigation. The map's focus on Southeast Asia is particularly noteworthy, as it remained the most accurate depiction of the region for two centuries.

The Selden Map's cartographic innovation lies in its use of systematic geometric techniques, a pioneering approach in Chinese mapmaking. It incorporates voyage data obtained from a magnetic compass and distances calculated from the number of watches, offering a unique perspective on maritime navigation. This method, without Western parallel, highlights the sophistication of Chinese merchant cartography during this era.

A compass rose elegantly adorns the map, guiding the viewer through the complex web of sea routes that connect the bustling port of Quanzhou to distant lands. This feature, along with the meticulously drawn shipping lines, underscores the map's primary purpose: to chart the commercial world with unprecedented precision. The map's emphasis on trade routes reflects the interconnectedness of cultures and economies in the region.

Historically significant, the Selden Map challenges the notion of a secluded China by illustrating its extensive maritime connections. It serves as a valuable artifact, not only for its cartographic advancements but also for its role in reshaping our understanding of global trade in the early modern period. This map is a window into a world where commerce and culture flowed freely across the seas, linking diverse peoples and places in a shared network of exchange.

Countries and regions on this map

  • China
  • Southeast Asia
  • Philippines
  • Borneo
  • Java
  • Sumatra
  • India

Notable Features & Landmarks

  • Bodies of water:
  • South China Sea
  • Sea routes:
  • Shipping routes radiating from Quanzhou
  • Other features:
  • Compass rose indicating directions
  • Illustrations of landscapes and plants

Historical and design context

  • One of the first Chinese maps to reach Europe.
  • Represents early Chinese merchant cartography, independent from imperial bureaucracy.
  • Depicts extensive shipping routes with compass bearings.
  • Elaborately decorated with landscapes and flora.
  • Shows systematic geometric techniques, a first for Chinese maps.
  • Demonstrates China's extensive trade networks during a period thought to be isolated.

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 40in (100cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) 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.

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.

As seen in
Payments secured by bank-grade 256-bit encryption

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.

Fill in the form below, message me on WhatsApp, or call the workshop on (718) 412-1214