[Rarebooks] fa: 1792 NEW AND ACCURATE PLAN OF LONDON, WESTMINSTER, &c. (Scarce Robert Sayer Map)

[Ardwight Chamberlain]

Listed now, auction ending Sunday, June 21. More details and images can be found at the URL below or by searching for the seller name arch_in_la.

http://tinyurl.com/pfnb3b6

Thanks again,
Ardwight Chamberlain
L.A.

A New and Accurate Plan of London, Westminster and Borough of Southwark; wherein is distinctly inserted all the Additional Streets, Squares &c in and round the Metropolis and Extended to Chelsea, Walworth &c &c. London: Robert Sayer & Co., 1792. FIRST EDITION. Large folding hand-colored map, measuring 60 x 43.5 cm (23.5 x 17 in.); dissected and mounted on linen in 16 sections. Accompanied by the original slipcase with printed paper label. Howgego, Printed Maps of London Circa 1553-1850, 199.1.

Very scarce first edition of this London map, published by Robert Sayer in 1792 and subsequently revised and reissued several times by Laurie and Whittle, who acquired Sayer's business upon his death in 1794. A handsome colored pocket map (pockets were clearly bigger then) for the late-Georgian gentleman visitor to the metropolis, with which he could easily navigate his way through a busy day that might include a mid-morning stroll along the Serpentine, a visit to the lunatics at Bethlam (i.e., Bethlehem, i.e., Bedlam) Hospital, a play at the Theatre-Royal Drury Lane, and a late-night assignation at Vauxhall Gardens, all of which are shown here. Indeed, the map is surprisingly detailed, with all major streets, parks, squares, buildings. bridges, docks, etc., shown, and with a table at the bottom identifying important sites by letter (i.e., Bridewell, Devonshire House, Opera House, Fishmongers Alms House, etc.). In one section, for example, we find not only the Obelisk, Magdalen Hospital, St. George's Spa, a Halfway House and the lugubrious-sounding Melancholy Way, but even the Dog & Duck, a notoriously rowdy tavern and location for concerts that closed down in 1799.

Map is in very good condition: mildly toned with a few small spots, a few small creases to the edges of the sections at the folds; linen backing with an inscrutable array of early ink letters and symbols (presumably to assist in arranging the sections), some fraying at the folds. Original slipcase rubbed but intact. A remarkable and delightful survivor of a long-vanished era.