George Bauerkeller's rare and strikingly modern embossed plan of London with its Index

George Bauerkeller's rare and strikingly modern embossed plan of London with its Index.

Title Bauerkeller's New Embossed Plan of London 1841.

Author BAUERKELLER, G[eorge].

Publisher Published by Ackerman & Co., 96 Strand.

Publication place Paris & London.

Publication date 1841.

Hand-coloured engraved embossed map, dissected and mounted on linen, inset of the Isle of Dogs, tables of the population of London and key to the maps colouring, folding into brown paper slipcase, with tree branch pattern.

Notes

This extraordinary embossed plan shows each locality in a different colour and built up areas raised in white, similar to the technique of Braille. Extending from Islington in the north to Kennington in the south and from Kensington High Street in the west to the West India Docks, with an inset of Greenwich at a smaller scale. A unique style of cartography in very good condition.

In an advertisement in the 'Sporting Magazine Advertiser' Ackermann announces its publication: '... The Buildings are raised, and, with the Railroads, Parks, Squares, &c. apper very prominent. The Parishes are also distinguished in delicate tints., and the entire arrangement is so remarkably conspicuous that, whether for the Visitor or the Office, its utility will be generally acknowledged" (Howgego)

A table to the upper left of the plan records a population of just over 1.5 million in 1841, with 122,000 residing in the City of London. The number of houses is estimated to be above 197,000; there are over 80 squares and some 10,000 streets.

Scale: 6 inches to 1 statute mile.

COPAC records only one institutional copy of this edition held at Oxford; the copy held at the British Library is a later edition.

Bibliography

BL Crace Port. 7.246; Howgego 377.

Dimensions

Price on application

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

Stock number