Reproduction Prints
Museum-quality giclée reproductions on archival cotton rag paper. Available in original scale or custom dimensions with meticulous color calibration from high-resolution scans of original documents.
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Discover Chicago's Cartographic Heritage
From the 1673 Jolliet expedition to the visionary 1909 Burnham Plan, explore over three centuries of Chicago's transformation through museum-quality map reproductions, expert authentication, and scholarly research.
Est. 2012
2,400+ Maps Authenticated
Museum-Quality Reproductions
Expert Appraisals
Chicago's Home for Historical Cartography
Founded in 2012 in the heart of Chicago's storied Printer's Row neighborhood, Earliest Chicago Maps has grown into the Midwest's leading resource for historical Chicago cartography. Our gallery, print shop, and research center occupy a restored loft space at 714 South Dearborn Street, where the area's rich publishing heritage provides the perfect backdrop for our work preserving and sharing the maps that shaped a great American city.
Our team of cartographic historians, conservators, and master printers brings together decades of combined expertise. We believe every map tells a story of ambition, disaster, reinvention, and growth, and our mission is to make those stories accessible to collectors, institutions, designers, and anyone curious about how Chicago became the architectural and urban-planning marvel it is today.
Learn More About UsOur Services
From archival reproduction to corporate installations, we offer a complete range of services for collectors, historians, and design professionals.
Custom Framing
Conservation-grade framing using UV-protective glazing, acid-free matting, and archival mounting. Our framers specialize in oversized and irregular documents with period-appropriate frame styles.
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Authentication & Appraisal
Professional verification of paper composition, printing technique, ink chemistry, watermarks, and provenance. Detailed written reports suitable for insurance valuation and resale documentation.
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Research Services
Access our extensive cartographic library and archival holdings by appointment. Our historians assist with genealogical research, neighborhood history, property investigations, and academic projects.
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Educational Tours
Guided gallery tours and neighborhood walking experiences that bring Chicago's cartographic history to life. Ideal for school groups, history societies, architecture enthusiasts, and corporate team outings.
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Corporate Collections
Curated map installations for offices, hotels, restaurants, and public spaces. We handle selection, reproduction at custom scales, framing, and professional installation for branded environments.
Learn MoreOur Process
Every project follows a careful four-step workflow designed to honor the integrity of historical documents while delivering results that exceed expectations.
Discover
We begin with a thorough consultation to understand your goals, whether you are seeking a specific map, building a collection, or outfitting a commercial space. Our team identifies the best historical documents and reproduction approaches for your needs.
Authenticate
Every source document undergoes rigorous authentication. We examine physical characteristics, cross-reference institutional archives, and verify provenance to ensure the historical accuracy and legitimacy of every piece we work with.
Reproduce
Using high-resolution scanning and archival giclée printing, we create reproductions that faithfully capture the character of the original. Each print is color-calibrated, inspected for accuracy, and produced on acid-free museum-grade materials.
Preserve
Conservation-grade framing, UV-protective glazing, and archival storage solutions ensure that your investment is protected for generations. We also provide care instructions and offer periodic condition assessments for valued clients.
What Our Clients Say
From private collectors to multi-location restaurant groups, our clients trust us to deliver exceptional quality and deep cartographic expertise.
"We purchased a stunning reproduction of the 1909 Burnham Plan for our living room. The detail and print quality exceeded our expectations. The team helped us select the perfect archival paper and frame to match our decor. It's become the centerpiece of every conversation."
"I inherited a collection of pre-fire Chicago maps from my grandfather and needed them authenticated. The team's expertise was remarkable—they identified maps I didn't even know were valuable, including an 1857 bird's-eye view worth significantly more than I expected."
"We commissioned reproduction prints of 1920s neighborhood maps for all six of our restaurant locations across Chicago. Each map shows the specific neighborhood's historical layout. Our customers love them, and they've become part of our brand identity."
From the Blog
Explore stories from Chicago's cartographic past, written by our team of historians and map specialists.
History
The Earliest Known Map of Chicago: A 1673 Journey
Trace the origins of Chicago cartography back to Louis Jolliet's groundbreaking 1673 expedition and discover how a single hand-drawn map set the stage for a city that would reshape the American landscape.
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Events
How the Great Fire of 1871 Reshaped Chicago's Maps
The Great Fire destroyed much of Chicago's built environment, but it also created an extraordinary before-and-after record in the city's maps. Learn how cartographers documented the devastation and the ambitious rebuild that followed.
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Urban Planning
The Genius Behind Chicago's Grid System
Chicago's orderly grid of numbered streets and named avenues is one of the most navigable urban layouts in the world. Explore the surveying decisions and political negotiations that produced this enduring framework.
Read ArticleFrequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions we receive from collectors, researchers, and first-time visitors.
What is the oldest known map of Chicago?
The earliest known cartographic depiction of the Chicago area dates to 1673, created by French-Canadian explorer Louis Jolliet during his expedition with Father Jacques Marquette. This map shows the Chicago portage and the waterways connecting the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River. We carry authenticated reproductions of this historic document and several other pre-settlement maps in our collection.
How can I tell if my antique Chicago map is authentic?
Authenticating an antique map involves examining the paper composition, printing technique, ink chemistry, watermarks, and provenance documentation. Our team uses a combination of physical analysis, historical research, and comparison with known originals held in institutional archives. We offer professional authentication services with detailed written reports suitable for insurance and resale purposes.
What types of reproduction prints do you offer?
We produce museum-quality reproduction prints using archival giclée printing on acid-free cotton rag paper. Our reproductions are available in original scale or custom sizes, and we offer a range of paper finishes including matte, semi-gloss, and canvas. Each reproduction is printed from high-resolution scans of original documents and undergoes color calibration to match the source material as closely as possible.
Do you offer custom framing for maps and prints?
Yes, we provide full custom framing services using conservation-grade materials. This includes UV-protective glazing, acid-free matting, and archival mounting techniques designed to preserve your map for generations. Our framers specialize in oversized and irregularly shaped documents, and we offer a wide selection of period-appropriate frame styles to complement historical cartography.
Can I visit your gallery in Printer's Row?
Absolutely. Our gallery at 714 South Dearborn Street in Chicago's historic Printer's Row neighborhood is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM. We maintain rotating exhibitions of original maps and reproduction prints, and our research library is available by appointment. Walk-ins are always welcome, and we offer complimentary guided tours for groups of four or more with advance booking.
How much does it cost to have a map authenticated and appraised?
Authentication and appraisal fees vary depending on the number of items, the complexity of the research involved, and whether you need a basic verbal assessment or a formal written report. Single-item verbal consultations start at $75, while comprehensive written appraisals with provenance research typically range from $200 to $500 per item. We also offer discounted rates for collections of five or more pieces. Contact us for a personalized quote.
Ready to Explore Chicago's Cartographic Past?
Whether you are starting a collection, authenticating a family heirloom, or outfitting a commercial space with historic character, our team is here to help. Schedule a free consultation and discover what three centuries of Chicago maps can bring to your project.