John Overton: A Pocket Map of London, Westminster and Southwark. With ye New Buildings to ye Year 1736
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Cartographer:
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John Overton
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Title:
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A Pocket Map of London, Westminster and Southwark. With ye New Buildings to ye Year 1736
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Date:
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1736
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Published:
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London
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Width:
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20 inches / 51 cm
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Height:
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10 inches / 26 cm
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Map ref:
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LDN6286
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Description:
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Fascinating Georgian map of London extending from Hyde Park to Whitechapel. Many new developments in West London are underway, particularly around Marylebone and Mayfair. London Bridge remains the city's solitary river crossing, though construction would begin on Westminster bridge two years later and many others would soon follow during the Georgian construction boom. Buckingham House, not yet a royal palace, is shown in its original configuration, and Green Park is still open field.
Perhaps the most interesting element of all is the three tables listing the hackney carriage and river boat fares. These give us a rare snapshot into the daily lives of middle- and upper-class Londoners. For example, hiring a coach for the day (12 hours) would cost you 10 shillings, whilst a ride from the Royal Exchange to the Drury Lane Play House (clearly a popular journey for city traders) would coast 1 shilling 6 pence. A ride along the river from London Bridge to Westminster by contrast would only cost 6 pence.
This map was originally engraved by R.W. Seale for John Overton, but a crudely pasted-over label informs us that this copy was sold by "I. Fentum Print & Mapseller at ye Black Lyon in Exeter Exchange in the Strand London".
[LDN6286] |