Old Route Map of London to Paris by Air, 1928: Imperial Airways, Croydon, Handley Page Biplane

Step into the golden age of aviation with this exceptional 1928 pictorial map, commissioned by Imperial Airways in collaboration with Shell. This map captures the historic London-to-Paris air route, one of the earliest and most celebrated international passenger flights in the world. Illustrated with a vibrant bird’s-eye perspective, it traces the journey from Croydon Airfield, just outside London, to Le Bourget Airfield, north of Paris, soaring gracefully over the iconic English Channel. The map’s lush blue-green hues and charming pastoral details evoke the spirit of adventure and innovation that defined the era.

Historically, this map marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of commercial aviation. Imperial Airways, Britain’s pioneering long-range airline, operated this route at a time when air travel was still a daring enterprise. In its first six years, the airline experienced seven major incidents, underscoring the risks faced by early passengers and crew. Yet, this very route became a symbol of progress, offering travelers not just speed but also a sense of modern luxury—further immortalized as the first air route to screen a film for its passengers, the 1925 classic "The Lost World."

The map’s artistry is as informative as it is enchanting. Major cities and landmarks are carefully illustrated along the route, including London, Paris, Dover, Calais, Boulogne, Amiens, and Beauvais. The English Channel is rendered with clarity, emphasizing the technical and navigational challenge it posed to early aviators. The prominent depiction of the Handley Page Type W biplane, a marvel of its time, serves as a testament to the ingenuity and ambition that propelled commercial flight forward.

Beyond its immediate function as a travel aid and promotional piece, this map stands as a cultural artifact of interwar Europe. It reflects not only the optimism of the 1920s but also the collaborative spirit between industry giants like Imperial Airways and Shell. The careful branding and design choices highlight the burgeoning relationship between aviation and petroleum industries, both essential to the rapid expansion of global connectivity.

For collectors and history enthusiasts, this map offers a tangible connection to the dawn of modern air travel. It invites viewers to imagine the excitement and uncertainty of those first flights across the Channel, where every journey was both a leap of faith and a celebration of human achievement. As a piece of cartographic history, it is a tribute to the visionaries who shrank continents and brought the world closer together—one flight at a time.

Places on this map

• London
• Croydon Airfield
• English Channel
• Paris
• Le Bourget Airfield
• Dover
• Calais
• Boulogne
• Amiens
• Beauvais
• River Thames
• River Seine

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Clear depiction of the air route from London (Croydon Airfield) to Paris (Le Bourget Airfield)
• Illustrated biplane (Handley Page Type W aircraft) prominently shown flying over the English Channel
• Pastoral and scenic depiction of the English and French countryside
• Stylized illustrations of towns, cities, and landmarks along the route
• Visual emphasis on the ease and comfort of early air travel
• Imperial Airways and Shell branding clearly visible
• Depiction of the airfields at Croydon and Le Bourget, marking the start and end points of the route

Historical and design context

• Name of the Map: Imperial Airways' London-Paris Map
• Date Created: 1928
• Publisher/Mapmaker: Imperial Airways, in collaboration with Shell (Shell-Mex), promoting air travel and petroleum products
• Imperial Airways was an early British commercial airline, operating from 1924 to 1939, known for pioneering long-distance commercial flights and early passenger aviation
• The London-Paris route was among the earliest commercial passenger air routes, marking a significant advancement in international air travel
• This route was historically notable as the first to screen an in-flight film, "The Lost World" (1925)
• The map is pictorial and thematic, using a bird's-eye perspective with pleasant blue-green pastoral colors to convey a sense of ease, comfort, and modernity associated with air travel
• Despite the inviting depiction, early aviation was dangerous: Imperial Airways had 7 incidents resulting in 32 fatalities within its first six years of operation
• The map prominently features a three-engine variant of the Handley Page Type W aircraft, likely the W.8f model introduced around 1924
• Reflects the collaborative spirit between industry giants like Imperial Airways and Shell, and the burgeoning relationship between aviation and petroleum industries

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 16in (40cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

Alcune delle mie vecchie mappe sono ora disponibili come tele incorniciate. Per favore contattami se desideri ordinare una dimensione che non è disponibile nel mio negozio.

Le vecchie mappe su tela sono un'alternativa interessante alle mappe incorniciate in modo convenzionale. A seconda del tuo gusto personale e dell'arredamento della stanza, le mappe su tela possono "risaltare" un po' di più rispetto a una mappa incorniciata.

Scopri di più sulle mie mappe su tela incorniciate.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

Se non sei soddisfatto del tuo ordine per qualsiasi motivo, contattami per un rimborso senza problemi. Si prega di consultare la nostra politica di reso e rimborso per ulteriori informazioni.

Sono molto sicuro che ti piacerà la tua mappa restaurata o la stampa d'arte. Lo faccio dal 1984. Sono un venditore Etsy a 5 stelle. Ho venduto decine di migliaia di mappe e stampe d'arte e ho oltre 5.000 recensioni reali a 5 stelle.

Utilizzo un processo unico per restaurare mappe e opere d'arte che richiede molto tempo e lavoro. Trovare le mappe e le illustrazioni originali può richiedere mesi. Utilizzo tecnologia all'avanguardia e incredibilmente costosa per scannerizzare e restaurarle. Di conseguenza, garantisco che le mie mappe e stampe d'arte siano superiori alle altre - ecco perché posso offrire un rimborso senza problemi.

Quasi tutte le mie mappe e stampe d'arte sembrano fantastiche a grandi dimensioni (200 cm, 6,5 piedi+) e posso anche incorniciarle e consegnarle a te, tramite un corriere speciale per oggetti di grandi dimensioni. Contattami per discutere delle tue esigenze specifiche.