A compleat description of Charleston Metropolitan Region
showing in distinct manner all the islands, rivers, primary
thoroughfares, fortifications and districts of the area
2015, 27” wide by 22” tall, watercolor on cotton rag paper
Like many cartophiles, our passion for maps increases every time we
see a great, antique map. Whether the exquisite detail or brilliant hand
coloration, nearly all elements of well drawn antique maps attract our
interest. One such map in the personal collection of our founder is an
1835 hand drawn map of Charleston and the surrounding environs at
the time. Its features like Castle Pinckney, Breach Inlet, and Fort
Johnson make us feel as if that well worn and aged piece of paper
could transport us to another time. And yet those are common features
of modern Charleston, SC.
We used this 19th century map as a guide for the Charleston Metro
map. This current map took inspiration from the layout, line weights,
etc. but we have added features recognizable to us in the 21st century.
We’ve added the Ravenel Bridge, Savannah Highway and others. The
map is finished with an aging technique to evoke the 19th century feel
of the original. We hope this map makes you feel as if you are in both
the 19th and 21st centuries.