Map of the County of Cumberland, New South Wales (c.1926)
The cadastral blueprint behind Sydney’s growth between the wars
Compiled, drawn, and printed by the New South Wales Department of Lands around 1926, this official County of Cumberland map captures the administrative and cadastral framework that underpinned Sydney and its surrounding districts in the crucial inter-war period.
Produced for practical use—not decoration—this sheet sets out parish boundaries, named parishes, and numbered land allotments at a working scale of approximately 1:126,720. Relief is conveyed with restrained hachures, helping readers understand terrain and drainage while keeping the cadastral information front and centre. Issued as part of the government’s County Maps of New South Wales series, it reflects the Department of Lands’ role in surveying, land administration, and planning at a time when Sydney was poised for rapid suburban expansion.
This is the map that shows how the city was organised on paper before post-war development transformed the landscape.
🧭 What You’ll See
-
County of Cumberland boundary in full
-
Parish boundaries and parish names clearly delineated
-
Numbered allotments for cadastral reference
-
Relief by hachures, aiding orientation without clutter
-
A clear legend and official notes in government style
Parishes include: Alexandria, Appin, Bankstown, Berowra, Botany, Bringelly, Broken Bay, Cabramatta, Castle Hill, Concord, Cowan, Field of Mars, Gordon, Heathcote, Holsworthy, Hunters Hill, Marramarra, Manly Cove, Minto, Mulgoa, Narellan, Narrabeen, Pitt Town, Prospect, Rooty Hill, Sutherland, Willoughby, and many more—together forming the historic skeleton of metropolitan Sydney.
🏛️ Why This Map Matters
-
Official NSW Government publication from the 1920s
-
Shows the legal land framework beneath modern suburbs and LGAs
-
Essential for local history, genealogy, and property research
-
Clean, legible inter-war cartographic design—functional and elegant
-
A scarce large-format snapshot before post-war metropolitan reorganisation
Researchers, planners, and historians value this map because it records how land was formally defined and administered, not just how it looked.
How People Use It
-
Family & local historians tracing parish names and early allotments
-
Property professionals & planners contextualising older titles
-
Libraries, councils & archives as a reference and display piece
-
Educators explaining Sydney’s cadastral and planning history
-
Collectors of authoritative Australian government mapping
✨ Premium Print & Display Options
Printed in Australia using archival methods to preserve crisp linework and historical character.
| Finish | Description |
|---|---|
| 📄 Heavyweight Paper (160 gsm matte) | Archival matte surface with excellent line clarity; ideal for framing under glass. |
| 🔒 Laminated (True Encapsulation) | Sealed between 2 × 80-micron gloss laminate; tear-resistant and wipe-clean. |
| 🎨 Archival Canvas (395 gsm HP Professional Matte) | Pigment-based, fade-resistant inks with a refined, gallery presence. |
| 🪵 Laminated + Timber Hang Rails | Natural lacquered timber rails, ready to hang (allow up to 10 working days). |
| 🪵 Canvas + Timber Hang Rails | Elegant, frameless presentation (allow up to 10 working days). |
📐 Size (W × H)
645 mm × 1000 mm
Orientation: Portrait
Aspect ratio: ~1 : 1.55
Framing tips:
-
Allow a 2–3 mm mat overlap for traditional framing.
-
For contemporary interiors, consider a float-mount with a ~3 mm reveal to emphasise the clean cadastral linework.
Custom sizing: Available on request.
🤝 Our Commitment
-
Printed locally in Australia
-
Archival pigment inks for long-term stability
-
Careful colour management and line fidelity
-
Every print hand-checked and packed with care
A precise, authoritative record of Sydney’s cadastral foundations—
choose your finish and bring the County of Cumberland (c.1926) into your space.
