Old Map of Oxford by Sayer, 1949: University of Oxford, St. John’s, Ashmolean Museum, River Cherwell, Broad Walk
“Oxford,” a map originally published in 1949 by J.P Sayer, is a captivating piece that invites viewers to explore the illustrious city of Oxford. This city map is a thematic and pictorial representation of the city, offering a unique perspective of Oxford’s historical and cultural landscape. Notably, it is a pictorial poster map that was once used by British Railways to promote rail travel, a testament to the map’s historical significance and its role in shaping travel and tourism in the mid-20th century. The map is rich in detail, covering the area from St. John’s and the Ashmolean at the left edge to the River Cherwell and Broad Walk at the right edge, and from Balliol Cricket Ground and Manchester College to Magdalen at the upper edge and from Worcester to Campion Hall at the lower edge.
One of the most striking features of this map is its focus on the University of Oxford. Each of the colleges is marked with small black and white vignette images of the buildings, offering a fascinating visual tour of one of the world’s most prestigious educational institutions. The map also provides a listing of four Women’s Colleges which are noted as being outside the area of the map, offering a glimpse into the evolution of women’s education during this period. This feature alone makes the map a valuable resource for those interested in the history of education and the development of Oxford as a global center of learning.
Beyond its educational focus, the map also offers detailed illustrations of major landmarks, bringing the city’s architectural heritage to life. These vignettes depict figures in period costumes, adding a layer of historical context to the map and providing a snapshot of life in Oxford during the mid-20th century. From the historic colleges to the iconic landmarks, the map serves as a visual narrative of Oxford’s storied past, making it a must-have for history enthusiasts and map collectors alike.
The map’s thematic and pictorial style is a testament to the artistic prowess of J.P Sayer, an English artist and graphic designer. His attention to detail and ability to capture the essence of Oxford in this map is truly remarkable. The inclusion of inset text further enriches the map, providing additional context and information for viewers. Whether you’re an admirer of historic maps, a student of history, or simply someone who appreciates fine art, this map of Oxford is sure to captivate and inspire. Its historical significance, combined with its artistic and educational value, makes it a truly unique piece.
- Neighbourhoods:
- St. John’s
- Ashmolean
- River Cherwell
- Broad Walk
- Balliol Cricket Ground
- Manchester College
- Magdalen
- Worcester
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Campion Hall
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Major Streets:
- Broad Street
- High Street
- Parks Road
- St. Aldate’s
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Magdalen Street
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Major Parks:
- University Parks
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Christ Church Meadow
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Historic Landmarks:
- University of Oxford
- Radcliffe Camera
- Sheldonian Theatre
- Bodleian Library
- Bridge of Sighs
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Carfax Tower
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Magdalen College Tower
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Historical Events:
- The founding of the University of Oxford
- The establishment of various colleges within the University
- The development of the British Railways
- The evolution of women’s education with the listing of four Women’s Colleges
- The depiction of figures in period costumes, illustrating Oxford’s storied history
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 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.
The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) 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.
