Lahaina Printsellers offers a very large collection of antique maps encompassing the world. Our collection of antique maps represents a broad range of map publishers and cartographers, including Ortelius, Blaeu, Mercator, Strahan & Cadell, John Tallis, Rand McNally, Mitchell, Colton, Johnson, Bingham, Weller, Cram and the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (S.D.U.K).  As Hawaii’s largest antique map emporium, we offer the widest array of Hawaii maps you will ever find.

When you think of antique maps, you think of the history and heritage such maps will carry.  However, you may not think of the aesthetics and beauty that may be presented from such maps. The following are my personal top three stunning maps of Hawaii.

3.  1798 Cassini Sandwich Isles

Sandwich Islands is the former name given to Hawaii by Captain Cook when he arrived in 1778. The name itself was given to honor John Montagu, Fourth Earl Of Sandwich.

This was one of the first decorated maps of Early Hawaii.  The map was published in 1798 and produced by Giovanni Cassini. The map is based on Cook’s chart, however, Cassini added his unique version of the Death of Cook.  Cassini had very little knowledge of Hawaii, Polynesians or the official uniforms of the Englishman.  Therefore the map depicted Cook’s men in the uniforms of Italian officers and the Hawaiians were dressed in the signature feathered war bonnets of Native Americans.

I am a fan of this map for its notable decorative and fanciful cartouche in its depiction of Cook’s death.  As a local Hawaiian resident born and raised in Hawaii, I find the depiction of locals as Native Americans to be particularly amusing.  The map also shows the phonetic spelling likely used when attempting to spell the names of the islands which I find very interesting. The many historical details in this map are a sight to behold.

2. 1935 Ruth Taylor White Territory of Hawaii with Maui Inset