Essex, CT 1881 Map
Beautifully restored. Printed on archival paper for modern walls.
Archival print promise
- Museum-quality paper: rich color, fine detail, and a premium feel.
- Hand restored reproduction: repaired and improved for modern walls.
- Packed for safe delivery: unframed prints ship in sturdy tubes; framed prints ship in padded boxes.
This vintage map of Essex, Connecticut was created in 1881 and published by O. H. Bailey & Co. of Boston, Massachusetts. This restored edition brings the historic Essex map to life while preserving the original linework and its villages, winding roads, riverfront docks, ships and steamboats, and the bordering vignettes of local buildings.
About This Historic Map
Drawn from an elevated bird's-eye perspective, this map presents Essex, along with Centerbrook and Ivoryton, in the 1880s, when the area was shaped by its river commerce, shipbuilding, steamboat traffic, and village life. The view sweeps across the town's peninsula and harbor, with hills and farms rolling into the distance and vessels dotting the water below.
Notable places shown on the map include Essex, Centerbrook, and Ivoryton, along with the busy waterfront docks, steamboats, and sailing vessels on the river, and many of the historic roads and homes that shaped life around Essex in the era.
For anyone who grew up along the Connecticut River, launched a boat from an Essex dock, or has family roots in these villages, this map is more than a historic view. It captures the steamboats at the landings, the neat rows of houses climbing the hillsides, and the memories that keep people connected to Essex.
A statement piece for any room, this reproduction is printed using KNOWOL's restored version of the 1881 Essex map, preserving the historic character of the original while adding depth, warmth, and visual clarity. It makes a meaningful addition to a home office, library, den, family room, or local history collection.
The Details
About This Print
🌲 Gallery-Quality Materials: Archival matte paper and optional solid, sustainably sourced Ayous wood frame.
✨ Shatterproof Protection: Crystal-clear Acrylite shield blocks glare and resists damage.
🛠️ Ready to Hang: Arrives at your door fully assembled and ready for the wall.
📦 Fast & Safe Shipping: Securely packaged to ensure flawless delivery.
Materials & Craftsmanship
The Unframed Print
Carefully restored from the original artwork and reproduced using gallery-quality, fade-resistant inks. Printed on heavyweight, museum-grade archival paper, this is the ideal choice if you prefer to use your own custom frame. KNOWOL reproductions are beautifully restored works of art.
The Framed Upgrade
Crafted from solid Ayous wood sourced from renewable forests, a sustainable, exotic timber that is lightweight and incredibly warp-resistant. Featuring a sleek 0.75″ profile in your choice of finish. Protected by premium Acrylite. Unlike cheap, heavy glass, our Acrylite is shatterproof, exceptionally clear, and lightweight, ensuring your vintage map is protected for decades to come. All framing components are ethically sourced from Japan and the US. Framed prints arrive fully assembled with hanging hardware included. No frame shop, no assembly, no second trips.
Shipping & Delivery
Free U.S. Shipping: All orders ship 100% free within the United States.
Unframed Prints: Carefully rolled and shipped in a heavy-duty, crush-resistant mailing tube.
Framed Prints: Shipped in custom-built protective packaging engineered specifically to keep the frame corners and Acrylite cover in flawless condition during transit.
Turnaround Time: Most orders ship within 3–5 business days and arrive at your door within 7–10 business.
Returns & Quality Guarantee
Because every piece is custom-printed and framed to order exactly to your specifications, we are unable to accept returns or exchanges for a change of mind or sizing issues. However, we stand 100% behind our craftsmanship. If your art arrives damaged in transit or has a visible defect, email us a photo within 30 days and we will immediately expedite a flawless replacement. Quality guaranteed: the KNOWOL standard.