Polar Regions — Set of Five Antique Maps c.1750-1800 (Matched Bundle)
Polar Regions — Set of Five Antique Maps c.1750-1800 (Matched Bundle)
A matched set of five original 18th-century copper-engraved maps of the polar regions — Arctic, Antarctic, and the circumpolar geographies as understood by European cartographers of the late 18th century. These maps document the frontier of pre-Cook geographic knowledge, when Terra Australis was still hypothesized and the Northwest Passage remained an unsolved mystery.
About 18th-Century Polar Cartography
The 18th century marked the dramatic transition of polar regions from mystery to mapped knowledge. Vitus Bering's Russian expeditions (1725–1741) mapped the North Pacific; Cook's three voyages (1768–1779) disproved Terra Australis Incognita and charted vast tracts of the South Pacific; British and French navigators pushed into the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Maps from this period capture the evolving state of knowledge with a charm unmatched by later, more completely surveyed productions.
Why Buy as a Set
Five coordinated polar maps framed together create an extraordinary scholarly-decorative statement — ideal for studies, libraries, gentleman's rooms, and any space where exploration history and the Enlightenment project to map the globe are appreciated. Individual maps also available; the set offers savings.
Dimensions
Each sheet approximately 14 × 20 inches (varies by plate)
Frame: This piece ships unframed — the sheet or plate only. We can recommend framers in your area or ship to your preferred framer. Professional framing with archival materials typically runs $150–$400 depending on size and finish.
Shipping Terms
Shipping costs vary by product, packaging requirements, destination, carrier, and insurance value. We do not use flat-rate shipping because antique prints, maps, paintings, and books each require different packing — some ship flat between archival boards, some ship rolled, some require custom-built crates with shock absorption, and framed pieces need extra protection for glass and corners.
How our shipping process works:
- You place your order (shipping is calculated as $0 at checkout)
- We prepare a custom shipping quote for your destination — typically within 24 hours
- We contact you to confirm carrier options (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL), insurance value, and delivery timeline
- Once you approve the shipping quote, we send a separate invoice for shipping
- We pack with archival-grade materials and insure at full value
Questions on shipping before you buy? Contact us with your zip code (or international address) and we'll provide a quote before you commit to purchase.
Important Buyer Notice
These pieces are antique originals, ranging from approximately 100 to over 400 years old. Each piece will show varying degrees of age-appropriate condition: paper toning, foxing, edge wear, fold marks, minor restoration, light staining, and other natural signs of age are common and expected for works of this period. Condition varies from piece to piece.
It is the buyer's responsibility to confirm that the piece is in the condition they require before purchase. We are always happy to answer any questions about the state of the work, provide additional photographs of specific areas, describe any flaws or repairs in detail, or arrange a video review before you buy. Please contact us at any time with questions — we believe an informed buyer is the best customer.
All pieces are guaranteed authentic originals (not reproductions, facsimiles, or modern prints). We offer a full refund if authenticity is ever disputed by a qualified third party.