Reviewed by James
I recommend this product
5 Stars
Geologist looking for multiple maps for new office. This is a great addition!
Loading...
Was this helpful?
Alabama Geological 1926 Shaded Relief Map
Currently 10 people are looking at this product
At Muir Way, we believe in providing the utmost quality, design, and value.
- Lasts a lifetime
- Unsurpassed archival materials and printing
- Over 5000 5-star reviews
- 30-day returns*
- Individually printed in our San Diego workshop
Description
This map draws on a 1926 geological survey of Alabama, published at a time when the Geological Survey of Alabama — one of the longest-running state geological surveys in the country — was deep in the work of charting the state's mineral wealth. In the north, Lookout Mountain and the dramatic sandstone walls of Little River Canyon anchor the Appalachian foothills; it was the rare closeness of coal, iron ore, and limestone in this corner of the state that fueled Birmingham's rise into "The Magic City," one of the great industrial success stories of the American South. Southward, the dark, fertile soils of the Black Belt give way to the Gulf Coast, where Mobile Bay opens onto the water.
We georeferenced this 1926 map and added shaded relief using modern digital elevation data, so the ridgelines of the Appalachian foothills and the lowlands toward the coast read with genuine topographic depth. It's printed flat on fine art paper — the dimension comes from the shading itself, not any raised or textured surface — so it frames like any fine art print in our collection.
A note on legibility: the map's original 1926 lettering is small, and in places the added relief shading darkens the text beneath it. We recommend our largest size for the clearest read, though some fine print may still be difficult to make out even then.
Shipping and Returns
FREE SHIPPING on orders to the contiguous US over $49 with UPS ground or USPS to PO Boxes.
Unframed prints - Printed to order and shipped within 2-3 business days
Framed prints - Custom framed and will ship in 3-4 weeks
Full refund on returns of unframed paper prints within 30 days of purchase. Prints must be returned in NEW condition without creases or damage. Please email us at [email protected] for instructions.
If prints are shipped back to us and are not in new condition, we offer a store credit or can return them to you.
We do NOT ACCEPT returns or exchanges on framed prints or canvas wraps because they are made to order.
Click HERE for more information on shipping and returns.
Gallery Quality
Made in the USA
We consider our maps to be works of art, so we print and frame them accordingly.
Using award-winning printers with gallery quality fine art paper and inks, our maps will exceed expectations and last a lifetime.
- Archival Paper and Inks
- 100% Cotton, OBA-Free, and Acid-Free
- Heavyweight 21.5 mil
- Certified to last 100 years
Read customer reviews HERE attesting to the quality of our prints.
American Hardwood Frames
We use real Walnut for our frames, unlike the lesser quality veneer you will typically find elsewhere. With beautiful hardwood grain, each is handmade to order at a professional frame shop.
- 7/8 inch face and 1 1/2 inch depth
- Acrylite glazing (more clear than glass)
- Acid-free backing paper
- Hanging wire installed
Alabama Geological 1926 Shaded Relief Map
Frequently asked questions
What is a vintage shaded relief map?
It's a single historic map with modern shaded relief added. The shading uses light and shadow, as if the sun were low in the northwest or northeast sky (it depends on the map), to make mountains, valleys and coastlines look three-dimensional. You get the color, typography and character of the original map, plus a sense of depth it never had.
How do you make vintage shaded relief maps?
We start with one original map, like the 1956 survey of Japan or the 1909 map of Alaska, and make a high-resolution scan of it. Then we georeference the digitized map, which means lining it up precisely with real-world coordinates. Finally we add hillshading made from modern digital elevation data. The relief matches the actual terrain; it isn't hand-drawn guesswork.
What makes these gallery-quality prints?
It starts with the data. Accurate shaded relief depends on precise elevation data, and we work with the best elevation data available.
Next is how that data is applied. Muir Way was one of the first to pioneer this method of adding modern relief to historic maps, and we've spent years refining it to produce maps with exceptional detail.
Then comes the print. Every map is produced on top-of-the-line printers using archival inks on heavyweight fine art paper, so the detail and color hold up for years.
Finally, framed orders are individually custom framed in real walnut wood.
Next is how that data is applied. Muir Way was one of the first to pioneer this method of adding modern relief to historic maps, and we've spent years refining it to produce maps with exceptional detail.
Then comes the print. Every map is produced on top-of-the-line printers using archival inks on heavyweight fine art paper, so the detail and color hold up for years.
Finally, framed orders are individually custom framed in real walnut wood.
Is this an antique or an original historical map?
No. It's a new, original design created by Muir Way and printed to order. The vintage map is the source material, and the added relief makes it a new work, not an antique or a straight reproduction.
Why pick a vintage map over a modern map?
Old maps have character that modern maps don't: hand-lettered typography, period color palettes, and borders, place names and territories as they were at the time. Each listing tells the story of its year, like Alaska as a district before it became a territory, or Brasília's first year as the capital.
Is the relief raised or textured?
No. The shading is printed flat on the paper, so the map frames and hangs like any fine art print. The 3D effect is purely visual. Some of our vintage maps are also available as physically raised prints; see our 3D Vintage Raised Relief Maps (muir-way.com/collections/3d-vintage-raised-relief-maps). If you're looking for terrain you can actually see and feel, browse our full 3D Raised Relief collection (muir-way.com/collections/3d-raised-relief-series).
Does darker shading mean higher elevation?
No. Shading shows the direction and steepness of slopes, not height. Dark areas are slopes facing away from the light.
Can I read the text on the map?
On many of these maps the text is hard to read. That's because of the small original font size, the age of the map, and the color and shading layered on top. Legibility varies from map to map. Maps of smaller areas, like USGS quadrangles, are usually easy to read. Maps of large areas, like the USA, North America or Europe, were originally printed very large, and at wall-art sizes most of their text is nearly impossible to read. Please look through the detail photos on each product page to judge how legible a map is before you order.
What is the cloud option?
Some maps come with an optional cloud overlay for a more atmospheric, bird's-eye look. The map is the same either way, so it's purely a style choice.
Who created this style of map?
Muir Way popularized the category: historic maps with modern shaded relief, made as wall art.
What sizes are available?
Sizes vary by map because each one keeps the proportions of the original. Most start around 16x24" or 18x24", and many go up to 30x40". Some are available in extra-large sizes such as 40x53" or 42x42". Every size can be ordered framed.
What paper do you print on?
Heavyweight archival fine art paper of the highest quality.
What frame options do you offer?
Choose black, walnut, or unframed. Both frames are made from real walnut wood, not the lesser-quality veneer you'll typically find elsewhere; the black frame is stained black. Each is handmade to order at a professional frame shop, with a 7/8" wide face and about 1-1/2" depth. Frames use Acrylite glazing, which is clearer than glass, and are finished with acid-free backing paper and a hanging wire, so they're ready to hang.
Where are your maps made?
Every map is made in the USA. Depending on your order, it's printed and shipped from our own shop in San Diego, California, or from our framing partner in Wisconsin. Unlike most wall decor companies, we don't outsource our paper prints to large print-on-demand dropshipping centers.
What places do you offer vintage shaded relief maps of?
National parks, U.S. states, cities, mountain ranges and international regions, including Alaska, Acadia, the Western Alps, Mont Blanc, Japan, Brazil, Australia and Baja.
Is a vintage shaded relief map a good gift?
Yes, especially for someone with a connection to a place: where they grew up, traveled or hiked. The historic date adds a story to the gift.
How long does it take for my order to ship?
Unframed paper prints usually ship within 1–2 days and arrive 2–5 days after they leave our shop. Framed prints are made to order and typically arrive in 3–4 weeks.
What's your return policy?
You can return unframed prints in new condition within 30 days. Please email us first so we can give you return instructions. Framed prints are custom-made to order, so we can't accept returns on them.
Printed flat, shadows so real you'll want to touch them
Shaded relief built by georeferencing hundreds of points against modern USGS elevation data
Historic maps with terrain accurately depicted with USGS data. Every peak and valley beautifully rendered.
A digital light source casts the shadows, a 3D look on flat paper
The terrain appears to have real depth even though the paper is flat.
Prints completely flat, so it works with traditional framing.
More size options with better details on archival paper.
12-color giclée printing with fade-resistant premium inks
Colors that hold their depth for a lifetime. Fade-resistant premium inks, with the ultimate color spectrum.
100% cotton, acid-free archival paper rated to last 100+ years
Check out our reviews, the quality really is noticeable
Individually printed to order by our team
We take pride in every map we ship out.
Handmade from real walnut, no pressed wood, no veneer
Real hardwood grain, not a stained lookalike.
Custom framed to order at a professional frame shop
Hand-cut and hand-finished, not pulled off a shelf. Every frame is sized to your print.
Unframed prints ship in 2–3 business days; framed in 3–4 weeks
Framing takes longer because they are handmade for your order.