Cartography Art Book Campaign Has Smashed Funding Goal
Artist Francesca Baerald reached over four times her initial goal for a new collection of hand-painted maps.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Geography
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A crowdfunding campaign for Unbound: The Cartography Art Book has successfully exceeded its 20,000 pound funding goal by more than four times. The book features over 250 maps created by artist Francesca Baerald using physical watercolour techniques.
Why it matters
The success of the project highlights significant demand for traditional, hand-crafted cartographic art. It validates the niche market for physical media produced through labor-intensive, historical artistic methods.
The project raised four times its 20,000 pound goal and includes 250 maps. The book is currently 99 percent finished, with editions priced at 150, 250, and 2,000 euros.
The players
Francesca Baerald
She is a cartographic artist who specializes in creating intricate maps using traditional watercolour and hand-drawing techniques.
The details
Artist Francesca Baerald utilizes physical watercolour to design her maps, with limited editions featuring hand-binding performed in Italy using ancient techniques. The publication is currently 99 percent complete and represents a comprehensive collection of the author's work.
Timeline
The crowdfunding project was featured on September 22, 2026.
Physical copies of the art book are expected to ship in the summer of 2027.
Deeper Dive
This project follows the pattern set by the traditional cartography movement by elevating functional geography into fine art through physical media. The success marks a pivot away from digital-only map rendering, reinforcing the trend seen in the traditional cartography movement.
The book serves as a reference for traditional watercolour techniques in map-making that could influence future graphic design styles. Collectors can anticipate the shipping process to commence by next summer.
The takeaway
The successful funding of this project demonstrates that artisanal, hand-bound books remain highly sought after in a digital-first era. Prospective collectors should look for high-quality art books that utilize traditional binding techniques for long-term preservation.
Further reading
Learn more about the intersection of art and mapping in our Geography section.
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