Pugh’s Almanac Street Map of Brisbane (1887)

Also titled: Street Map of Brisbane
Size: 793 mm (W) × 1000 mm (H)
Format: Historical Street Map • Single Sheet
Printed in Australia

Published in 1887 by Gordon and Gotch, this beautifully detailed street map of Brisbane offers a rare snapshot of the city as it appeared in the late 19th century — at a time when Brisbane was rapidly expanding beyond its colonial core into surrounding suburbs.

Originally issued as part of Pugh’s Almanac and Queensland Directory (1887), the map captures Brisbane’s early street network, emerging neighbourhoods, and public spaces with a clarity and charm that modern maps simply can’t replicate. Public parks are shown pictorially, adding a decorative, almost illustrative quality that reflects Victorian-era cartographic style.

This is both a valuable historical document and a striking wall map — ideal for anyone interested in Brisbane’s urban history, genealogy, architecture, or early town planning.

🗺️ What This Map Shows

• Brisbane’s street network (1887) — the city centre and surrounding suburbs

• Early suburban development — revealing how Brisbane spread beyond the CBD

• Public parks illustrated pictorially — a hallmark of 19th-century mapping

• Colonial-era layout — before modern road realignments and infrastructure

The map presents Brisbane at a formative moment — recognisable, yet dramatically different from today.

🕰️ A Snapshot of Brisbane in 1887

• Produced during a period of rapid growth and optimism in colonial Queensland

• Shows Brisbane before federation, modern bridges, and large-scale reclamation

• Streets and suburbs reflect Victorian planning priorities

• Serves as a visual record of how today’s city evolved from its 19th-century foundations

Maps like this were practical tools at the time — now they’ve become windows into Brisbane’s past.

🎨 Cartography & Presentation

• Publisher: Gordon and Gotch (Brisbane)

• Date: 1887

• Style: Late-Victorian street cartography

• Technique: Lithographic printing

• Scale: Not stated (as issued)

Fine linework, clear labelling, and pictorial park symbols give this map both historical authority and decorative appeal.

🎨 Materials, Print Quality & Hanging Options

Archival Canvas

• Printed on 395 gsm HP Professional Matte Canvas

• Subtle canvas texture enhances colour depth while retaining fine line detail

• Matte surface reduces reflections compared with glass-framed prints

Archival Pigment Inks

• Produced using Hewlett-Packard archival, fade-resistant pigment inks

• Ensures crisp typography, stable colour, and long-term durability

• Designed to remain vibrant and legible for many years

Optional Timber Hang Rails (Recommended for Large Formats)

For a clean, frame-free presentation, this canvas map can be finished with natural timber hang rails:

• Top and bottom timber rails provide structure and visual balance

• Bottom rail adds weight, helping the canvas hang flat and straight

• Prevents edge curl and sag over time

• Supplied with hanging cord — ready to mount on a single wall hook

• Creates a gallery-style finish without glass or bulky framing

Please note:
Canvas maps with timber hang rails are professionally finished.
Allow up to 10 working days for completion prior to dispatch.

This canvas edition is intended for display and reference and is not write-on / wipe-off like laminated versions.

📐 Size & Orientation

• 793 mm (W) × 1000 mm (H)

• Orientation: Portrait

This generous format makes the map ideal for framing or hang-rail display as a feature piece without overwhelming the wall.

📊 Specifications

🎯 Who It’s For

• 🏛️ Brisbane history enthusiasts — see the city as it once was

• 🧬 Genealogists & researchers — contextualise family and property records

• 🏠 Interior stylists & homeowners — a refined heritage statement piece

• 🎓 Educators & libraries — teaching urban growth and colonial history

• 🎁 Gift buyers — a meaningful Brisbane-specific historical gift

🖼️ Display & Styling Tips

• Frame under glass for a traditional archival look

• Or choose timber hang rails for a modern, gallery-style presentation

• Neutral mats and natural timber finishes complement the vintage tones beautifully

🤝 Our Commitment

This historic Brisbane map is reproduced and printed in Australia using archival-grade canvas and Hewlett-Packard pigment inks, with careful colour management to preserve the character and detail of the original 1887 sheet. Each print is hand-checked and packed with care, ensuring it arrives ready to be enjoyed for years to come.

🛒 Bring Brisbane’s past to your wall — order Pugh’s Almanac Street Map of Brisbane (1887) and explore the city as it appeared more than a century ago.