Battle Maps

Battle maps are a vivid reminder that wars are often a struggle for territory. Through the lines on a a map we cheer the advance of our armies toward victory or we suffer their retreat from an objective denied. And we conjure up the smoke and roar of violent conflict from the place names on a map, names like Gettysburg, Verdun, Inchon, Bunker Hill, Normandy, and Khe Sanh.

Battle maps are useful tools to the fighting man, whether he’s in a fox hole or at headquarters plotting an assault, and they offer a spellbinding insight into the combat for the civilians following the war back home. And after the guns have been silenced they give the historian a focus for his study.

For these reasons, battle maps are especially popular with collectors. The subject is broad enough to merit book length treatment, but we can take a look at a few examples here to get a flavor for the field.

Here are a few examples of battle maps currently listed in our eBay store, chosen from conflicts involving the United States.

1850 antique map of Florida, in original hand color by county, with decorative ribbon border, printed more than 165 years ago.

Original 1850 Map FLORIDA Seminole War Military Trails Forts Battles Railroads

Original hardcover 1927 first edition of "A Guide to the American Battle Fields in Europe," prepared for the American Battle Fields Commission.

1927 GUIDE TO AMERICAN BATTLE FIELDS Insignia Fold-Out Maps World War One Europe

Large-format, highly detailed fold-out color lithographed map of the Far East, with an inset of Korea showing the battle line as of June 1, 1952.

1952 Korean War Battle Line Map FAR EAST Seoul Japan China Indonesia Manchuria

Original antique color lithographed Civil War map showing the approaches to Petersburg and the Rebel batteries comprising the Dimmock Line, printed more than 125 years ago.

Original Civil War Map PETERSBURG 1863 Rebel Batteries Dimmock Line Virginia

1944 D-Day Invasion Map GERMANY France Prussia Paris Berlin Ardennes Metz Poland

Vintage fold-out 1932 color lithographed map showing the travels of George Washington, printed more than 88 years ago.

1932 Map GEORGE WASHINGTON Revolutionary War Mount Vernon Boston Trenton Travels

A wide array of fine maps exist of many other battles through history, from the Gallic Wars to the current conflict in Afghanistan. Please feel free to browse our eBay website or contact us on our contact page.