Historical map of Ireland Circa 1960

This richly ornamented Historical Map of Ireland, produced around circa 1960, is a fine example of the pictorial cartography for which Leslie George Bullock became widely admired. Blending geography, history, and decorative illustration, the map transforms the island of Ireland into a vivid visual narrative that is as informative as it is engaging.

At the center, Ireland is depicted in soft, harmonious colors and populated with a multitude of miniature scenes, historical references, and architectural landmarks. Castles, monasteries, ancient sites, battles, and legendary episodes are carefully integrated into the landscape, giving the viewer a journey through Irish history from antiquity to more recent centuries. Rivers, towns, and provinces are clearly laid out, ensuring the map remains readable while richly embellished.

Surrounding the map is an elaborate decorative border composed of coats of arms of Irish cities, counties, and provinces, reinforcing the heraldic and regional identity of the island. These heraldic panels frame the composition and echo medieval manuscript traditions, while also reflecting the mid-20th-century enthusiasm for heritage, genealogy, and national history.

Leslie George Bullock was a British illustrator and pictorial mapmaker who specialized in creating maps intended for both education and display. After an early career in the British civil service and wartime service for which he received an O.B.E. in 1947, he devoted much of his later life to illustrated cartography. He collaborated extensively with major British map publishers and became known for his ability to condense complex historical information into charming, accessible, and highly decorative designs.

This Historical Map of Ireland belongs to a broader series of Bullock’s celebrated national and regional maps. It reflects a period when illustrated cartography enjoyed renewed popularity, appealing to tourists, schools, and collectors alike. Both a cultural document and a decorative artwork, the map stands today as a collectible piece that captures Ireland’s historical imagination through the lens of mid-20th-century graphic design.

Original Poster

Geography - Map - Ireland

With the country's emblems

Printed by John Bartholomew & Son in Edinburgh

Good condition, creases, traces of tape