Framing a USGS 7.5 min map

[y_p_w]

I was touring the Western US last month when I came across several
places that had framed USGS topo maps of national parks and/or
other areas. I thought they were a nice touch.

I know some here are familiar with USGS topographical maps. I'd like
to purchase a 7.5 min map of the area where I live and frame/mount it
on a wall. Does anyone know what the standard size is (if there is
one) so I can figure out what frame size I need? I live in the San
Francisco Bay Area, and I believe local REI stores have these in
stock.

[P***@excite.com]

There is no mass market for frames that big, so no standard sizes to
worry about. Just buy the map you like and take it to a specialist
framing shop (of which there are hundreds in the Bay Area); they will
mount the map and make up a frame to fit. This is not especially
expensive.

[y_p_w]

Post by P***@excite.com
There is no mass market for frames that big, so no standard sizes to
worry about. Just buy the map you like and take it to a specialist
framing shop (of which there are hundreds in the Bay Area); they will
mount the map and make up a frame to fit. This is not especially
expensive.

I've seen standard 24x36" frames for movie posters. A local
Walgreens has 20x30" poster frames for $10. However - these
are the kind where the frame sort of clips on to a plastic sheet.
I'd probably be willing to spend considerably more for something
that looks "just right". I found some place called "The Framer's
Workshop" that does custom work or let's you do it yourself
(with help) on premises. Sounds like a learning experience.

My mom (in the transportation industry) wanted to frame a large
railroad map and it ended up costing about $150. I guess if I
want it to look really nice, I should stop worrying that the map
is only $6.

[y_p_w]

Post by y_p_w
I was touring the Western US last month when I came across several
places that had framed USGS topo maps of national parks and/or
other areas. I thought they were a nice touch.
I know some here are familiar with USGS topographical maps. I'd like
to purchase a 7.5 min map of the area where I live and frame/mount it
on a wall. Does anyone know what the standard size is (if there is
one) so I can figure out what frame size I need? I live in the San
Francisco Bay Area, and I believe local REI stores have these in
stock.

Never mind. I found it. About 22x27". Probably needs a 24x32" frame
with a custom matte.

[john smith]

Post by y_p_w
I was touring the Western US last month when I came across several
places that had framed USGS topo maps of national parks and/or
other areas. I thought they were a nice touch.
I know some here are familiar with USGS topographical maps. I'd like
to purchase a 7.5 min map of the area where I live and frame/mount it
on a wall. Does anyone know what the standard size is (if there is
one) so I can figure out what frame size I need? I live in the San
Francisco Bay Area, and I believe local REI stores have these in
stock.

http://www.americanframe.com/

[y_p_w]

Post by john smith

Post by y_p_w
I was touring the Western US last month when I came across several
places that had framed USGS topo maps of national parks and/or
other areas. I thought they were a nice touch.
I know some here are familiar with USGS topographical maps. I'd like
to purchase a 7.5 min map of the area where I live and frame/mount it
on a wall. Does anyone know what the standard size is (if there is
one) so I can figure out what frame size I need? I live in the San
Francisco Bay Area, and I believe local REI stores have these in
stock.

http://www.americanframe.com/

Thanks. Sounds like I can get a decent wood frame with acrylic sheet
for under $50 shipped.

[Eugene Miya]

Post by y_p_w
I was touring the Western US last month when I came across several
places that had framed USGS topo maps of national parks and/or
other areas. I thought they were a nice touch.
I know some here are familiar with USGS topographical maps. I'd like
to purchase a 7.5 min map of the area where I live and frame/mount it
on a wall. Does anyone know what the standard size is (if there is
one) so I can figure out what frame size I need? I live in the San
Francisco Bay Area, and I believe local REI stores have these in
stock.

The USGS Western Region HQ is in Menlo Park. You don't have to pay sales tax.
You just missed the openhouse last month. It won't be back for 3 years.
USGS maps don't really come in a standard physical size. The longitude
varies with latitude. They come in map scale sizes of 7.5 min as part
of the National Mapping goal. SF map eh? Get an index, they are free.

Parks and other areas have special maps for their needs.

Additionally you might consider Hubbard Scientific's 3-d injection
molded plastic relief maps (in Chippewa Falls, WI). They are also
designed to be mosaic'ed. They come in 30 min. sizes.

The hardest map which I am trying to find is a 1:35,000 scale Italian
military maps of the Matterhorn: possibly the nicest map that I have
seen in the last couple decades. The only one I have seen is on the
side of a police station (Carabineri) half way up the slope to the
Swiss-Italian border next to Monte Cervino. No consulate, embassy, or
even the Italian Army mapping division is able to locate some one who
knows this map. It's quite a contrast to the other Italian civilian maps.

--

[y_p_w]

Post by Eugene Miya

Post by y_p_w
I was touring the Western US last month when I came across several
places that had framed USGS topo maps of national parks and/or
other areas. I thought they were a nice touch.
I know some here are familiar with USGS topographical maps. I'd like
to purchase a 7.5 min map of the area where I live and frame/mount it
on a wall. Does anyone know what the standard size is (if there is
one) so I can figure out what frame size I need? I live in the San
Francisco Bay Area, and I believe local REI stores have these in
stock.

The USGS Western Region HQ is in Menlo Park. You don't have to pay sales tax.
You just missed the openhouse last month. It won't be back for 3 years.
USGS maps don't really come in a standard physical size. The longitude
varies with latitude. They come in map scale sizes of 7.5 min as part
of the National Mapping goal. SF map eh? Get an index, they are free.

Sounds interesting, although I was probably out of town most of
last month. I saw various USGS maps of Grand Teton and Zion,
which looked nice framed.

Post by Eugene Miya
Parks and other areas have special maps for their needs.

Well - I went to the REI store in Berkeley during lunch. They had
maybe 100+ 7.5 min maps of the Sierras and exactly four of the
SF Bay Area (around the Berkeley Hills). Fortunately they had the
one I wanted. It's just under 22x27" (more like 21-3/4"x22-7/8"),
although I suspect they don't always cut the sheets precisely.

It does seem rather strange to spend $50 to frame $6 piece of paper.

[JoeyP]

Post by Eugene Miya
The hardest map which I am trying to find is a 1:35,000 scale Italian
military maps of the Matterhorn: possibly the nicest map that I have
seen in the last couple decades. The only one I have seen is on the
side of a police station (Carabineri) half way up the slope to the
Swiss-Italian border next to Monte Cervino. No consulate, embassy, or
even the Italian Army mapping division is able to locate some one who
knows this map. It's quite a contrast to the other Italian civilian maps.

Could this be one of the Italian Railroad Army Maps from the Fascist
Era? IL Duce made some nice ones when he was trying to synchronize
the trains and his army officers frequently used them. It would
explain why no-one knows anything about this particular map.

MOM