An excellent example of this uncommon and attractive folding map of London, published during the Regency period. Extends from Kensington Gardens to the Isle of Dogs, and from Peckham to Dalston.

While later editions of this map show proposed Regency developments, this map shows the city exactly as it was at the end of the 18th century. Most of the areas north of Pentonville, east of Bethnal Green, south of Kennington, and west of Buckingham Palace remain completely undeveloped fields and farmland, dotted with small villages, completely distinct from London. The East and West India Docks at modern-day Canary Wharf, are shown on the map despite still being under construction at this time. Only Greenland Dock has yet been constructed in Rotherhithe - the rest remains unused marshy ground. This is the earliest recorded state of this map - no other examples prior to 1804 are listed in Howgego's bibliography of London maps.

A decorative title cartouche shows a trumpeter atop an unfinished pyramid alongside the coats of arms of the City of London, a Union Jack flag, and an anchor. A large beehive, a symbol of industry and labour, sits beside the pyramid, and on the other side is a three-masted ship setting sail. This is a fitting metaphor for a city undergoing rapid growth and development whose wealth was derived both from its industry and from its maritime strength.

Original hand colour. [LDN6986]