Here’s one to throw around during your next cocktail party. The year was 1929, and the date was October 9th. German theologian Gustav Deissmann was rummaging through maps and books housed in the Topkapi Palace library, located in Istanbul, Turkey. While doing so, he discovered one of the most curious antique maps ever made. It […]
You might be wondering what this is and why it is important? Well, simply put, Mappa Mundi is Latin for “map of the world.” Is used in reference to European maps of the world produced during medieval times. Some of them are massive, elaborate, very ornate wall maps, while others are very rudimentary schematic maps […]
So you have finished buying gifts for everyone. Several of the people on your list will receive a custom hand-painted historical map from Great River Arts. Your father is getting one of the antique maps featuring his favorite vacation spot. You’re sure it will be a treasure to him for years to come. Some of […]
Why not give that special person in your life the world this Christmas season? That’s right, with the holidays practically knocking at your door, it’s time to start thinking of the perfect gift for that special someone. Our world map, Nova Totius, will fit the bill nicely. It is classic, timeless, and will make a […]
Last week we talked a bit about dragons and maps. We discussed their fantastical depiction, their evolution through time and what they might have been based on. However, there are other reasons for their existence, that unless you knew better, would remain secret. Most people though it was simply due to the fact that people […]
Let’s talk about dragons for a moment. Take a look at any antique map from the 15th or 16th century, then walk forward through time to present day. You can literally see the world take shape, through cartography, as new explorations and discoveries were made. Along with those findings were close encounters of fantastical, never-before-seen […]
Today we are going to take a look at the best locations in your home for you to display your custom historical map. Some of these might surprise you. But I promise there is a method to the madness so hang in there. If you follow the basic premise that historical maps are meant to […]
What do you do during the Holy Crusade when your kingdom is threatened by potential Muslim invasion? You call upon the help of a mythical Christian priest/king of course. That was the case in the 1100s. When relations got tense, and the Turks threatened to invade the Crusader Kingdoms under the leadership of Imad ad-din […]
At Great River Arts, we are known for maps. We make beautiful, custom, hand painted historical maps featuring locations around the globe. We also produce custom maps of various sizes, according to the order placed. However, now we also produce custom silk scarves. That’s right, the same beautiful maps and locations featured on Great River […]
Since we are traveling next week to be part of the Western Design Conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and featuring our great new Jackson Wyoming custom map I thought a conversation about the gift “value” of custom maps would be in order. Once you see the value, you will see why custom maps are the […]
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