{"product_id":"old-map-isle-of-man-1611-john-speed","title":"Old Map of Isle of Man in 1611 by John Speed - Douglas, Castletown, Peel","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis reproduction print is based on a rare and richly coloured map of the Isle of Man, first engraved in 1611 by John Speed and cut by the Dutch engraver Jodocus Hondius for Speed's celebrated atlas, The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine. Long before postcards or holiday photographs, this map was how the wider world first came to know the shape of Mann rising out of the Irish Sea, with its four principal towns of Douglas, Castletown, Peel and Ramsey already marked along the coastline as the island's main centres of trade, government and fishing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCastletown, overlooked by the imposing Castle Rushen, served for centuries as the island's ancient capital and seat of government, while Peel grew up around its own harbour castle on the west coast and Ramsey anchored trade in the north. Inland, the island's spine rises toward Snaefell, its highest hill, and the coastline curls past smaller communities such as Laxey, Port Erin, Port St Mary and Onchan, with the Calf of Man and the Point of Ayre marking its southern and northern extremities. Decorative flourishes typical of Speed's work, including sailing ships riding the waves and the island's own three-legged triskelion emblem, are a reminder that this was as much a work of art as of navigation, made at a time when the Isle of Man still governed itself through its own Tynwald parliament, one of the oldest continuous legislatures in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrinted on archival matte paper, this map brings a genuine sense of place to a hallway, study or living room, and works just as well as a thoughtful gift as it does as decor for a Manx household. It has become a popular birthday present for anyone with island roots, a considered Christmas gift for a homesick expat far from the Irish Sea, and a natural choice for a housewarming when a friend or relative first moves to the island. It also suits a retirement gift for someone finally settling on Mann after years away, or a warm leaving gift for a colleague heading across the water to start afresh. However it's given, it stands on its own as a distinctive and conversation-starting piece of wall art.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"TheMapVault","offers":[{"title":"16x20 inch - UNFRAMED","offer_id":57789921853771,"sku":"0908-16x20","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (42x60cm) - UNFRAMED","offer_id":57789921886539,"sku":"0908-A2","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x24 inch - UNFRAMED","offer_id":57789921919307,"sku":"0908-18x24","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50x70 cm - UNFRAMED","offer_id":57789921952075,"sku":"0908-50x70","price":42.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A1 (60x84cm) - UNFRAMED","offer_id":57789921984843,"sku":"0908-A1","price":55.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x32 inch - UNFRAMED","offer_id":57789922017611,"sku":"0908-24x32","price":55.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"70x100 cm - UNFRAMED","offer_id":57789922050379,"sku":"0908-70x100","price":69.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"75x100 cm - UNFRAMED","offer_id":57789922083147,"sku":"0908-75x100","price":69.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A0 (84x119cm) - UNFRAMED","offer_id":57789922115915,"sku":"0908-A0","price":76.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0907\/2456\/5323\/files\/SKU0908Mock004.jpg?v=1783465289","url":"https:\/\/www.themapvault.com\/en-us\/products\/old-map-isle-of-man-1611-john-speed","provider":"TheMapVault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}