Maine 1967 Shaded Relief Map

A geologic map's colors exist to inform — each one marks a distinct rock formation, usually grouped by age and type — but they have a way of turning into genuine art once you see the shapes they trace. Katahdin itself is a granite pluton, a dome of once-molten rock that punched up through older, layered bedrock millions of years ago, and on a map like this one it shows up as a bold, rounded patch of color breaking through the surrounding bands — a literal bullseye marking Maine's volcanic past.

Maine's geological survey dates to 1836, when the state's Board of Internal Improvements first hired a geologist to study its mineral resources, and grew into the full-time mapping agency it is today under State Geologist Joseph Trefethen starting in the 1940s. At the northern end of the Appalachian Trail, this 1967 map traces the terrain around that granite summit — Maine's highest peak and the finish line for thousands of thru-hikers each year, protected today as Baxter State Park, a gift from former governor Percival Baxter, who acquired the land parcel by parcel over more than 30 years and donated it to remain "forever wild."

We georeferenced the original 1967 Maine Geological map and applied modern digital elevation data to add true shaded relief to the landscape. The shading is printed flat on the paper — not raised or textured — so it frames and hangs like any fine art print.

Available unframed, or framed in black or walnut.

Note on legibility: text on the original map is small and can be difficult to read given the map's age. In areas where the relief shading is darkest, the underlying labels are not legible. We recommend the largest available size for the best detail.

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.

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.

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