Ordnance Survey Folding Map Of Leicester And District – Special Sheet Popular Edition One Inch Map

Publisher: The Ordnance Survey
Price: £35
Publication Date: 1936
Edition: 1st Edition
Format: Original coloured engraving
Condition: In near fine condition, unframed
Sheet Size: 107.8cm x 81.8cm when opened

Condition:

A large folding map of Leicester and the surrounding area. Backed on linen and dissected into 32 sections. Neat ink name and stamp to paste-down of folding cover. Map and folding cover in very near fine, bright, clean condition.

Leicester In 1936: A Brief Description

In 1936, Leicester was a thriving industrial city in the heart of the East Midlands, deeply embedded in Britain’s manufacturing economy. The city’s history during this period reflects both its industrial strength and the broader social and economic conditions of interwar Britain.

Industrial and Economic Context

Leicester was known as one of the most prosperous and industrious cities in the UK during the first half of the 20th century. By 1936, it had become a centre for textiles, footwear, and engineering industries, employing thousands of workers and contributing significantly to Britain’s export economy.

1. Textile Industry: Leicester was at the forefront of the hosiery (knitwear) industry, producing a large proportion of the country’s hosiery and woollen goods. Factories were spread across the city, and their production catered to both domestic markets and exports. Many brands produced in Leicester became household names, supplying knitted garments to department stores across the UK.
2. Footwear Industry: Alongside textiles, Leicester was renowned for its shoe-making industry. Factories like Freeman, Hardy & Willis, founded in Leicester, were producing shoes on a large scale for both national and international markets. The shoe industry provided employment for a significant part of Leicester’s workforce.
3. Engineering and Manufacturing: While textiles and footwear dominated, Leicester also had a growing engineering sector, producing machinery that supported local industries, as well as heavy equipment for national infrastructure projects.

Social and Cultural Life

Leicester in 1936 was a bustling city, with a strong sense of community fostered by local industries and an expanding working-class population. However, like much of Britain, the city also experienced the effects of the economic depression of the 1930s, although it was less severely impacted compared to areas dependent on heavy industries like coal and steel.

1. Working-Class Life: Leicester’s industrial prosperity meant that it generally enjoyed lower unemployment rates than many other regions, though parts of the population still struggled. The city had a well-organised trade union movement, and workers’ rights and conditions were a significant part of political and social discourse.
2. Housing and Urban Development: The city experienced significant urban development in the early 20th century, and by 1936, many working-class neighbourhoods were expanding. However, like many industrial cities, Leicester faced challenges with overcrowding in some areas. The city’s leadership was focused on improving public health, housing conditions, and urban planning.
3. Education: Leicester was home to several educational institutions, including the Leicester College of Art and Technology, which contributed to the training of local workers and artisans. The city’s emphasis on education reflected the desire to improve social mobility through vocational training and academic advancement.
4. Entertainment and Leisure: In 1936, leisure pursuits were an important part of life in Leicester. The city’s population enjoyed trips to the cinema, which was immensely popular during the interwar period, with several notable theatres and picture houses operating in the city. Sports, particularly football, were also important to local culture, with Leicester City Football Club playing a key role in the city’s social life. Parks and open spaces, such as Victoria Park, offered recreational opportunities for families.

Politics and Governance

Leicester in 1936 was politically vibrant, with strong working-class representation in local governance. The Labour Party had established a solid presence in the city during the 1920s and 1930s, as the party sought to improve conditions for workers and implement social reforms. This was a time when local government played a crucial role in shaping housing policies, education, and health services.

However, Conservative and Liberal influences were also present, particularly among the middle class and business owners. The city’s political landscape reflected the broader national debates about how to manage Britain’s economic recovery from the Depression and the growing threats in Europe as fascism and Nazism were on the rise.

Ethnic Diversity and Migration

Leicester, even in 1936, was beginning to show signs of its future as one of Britain’s most ethnically diverse cities. Although the significant waves of migration from the Caribbean, South Asia, and East Africa would come after World War II, the interwar period saw smaller movements of people from within Britain and from Europe, many attracted by Leicester’s industrial job opportunities.

The Monarchy and National Events

1936 was a tumultuous year in British history, as it was marked by the abdication crisis of King Edward VIII, who stepped down to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée. This was a significant event nationwide, and Leicester, like other British cities, would have been engrossed in the national debate about the monarchy and constitutional issues that arose from the crisis. This year also saw the brief reign of King George VI, who would eventually guide Britain through the Second World War.

Transport and Infrastructure

In 1936, Leicester’s transport infrastructure was well developed, particularly for the movement of goods and workers. The city was connected to the national rail network, with important routes passing through Leicester Central and Leicester London Road stations, which played a significant role in moving raw materials and finished goods to and from the city’s factories.

The city’s public transport system was also well established by this point, with trams and buses serving local communities and linking the city centre to surrounding neighbourhoods. Car ownership was becoming more common among the middle class, and road improvements were gradually being made to accommodate the growing number of vehicles.

Conclusion

Leicester in 1936 was a prosperous industrial city, its economy built on textiles, footwear, and engineering. It enjoyed relatively stable employment and a strong sense of community, though like all of Britain, it was not immune to the economic uncertainties of the time. The city’s political and social life was dynamic, and while it had not yet seen the large-scale immigration that would shape its post-war identity, it was already a vibrant and industrious place, with the seeds of future diversity and change taking root.

Ordnance Survey Special Sheet Popular Edition One Inch Map: A Brief History

The Ordnance Survey Special Sheet Popular Edition One Inch Map refers to a series of historical maps produced by the Ordnance Survey, the national mapping agency for Great Britain. These maps were designed for a wide variety of uses, ranging from travel and recreation to military planning, and have become highly prized by map collectors for their detail, aesthetic quality, and historical significance.

Background and Development

The Ordnance Survey (OS) was established in the late 18th century, primarily to provide accurate maps for military purposes. Over time, the OS expanded its operations to create maps for civilian use. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the OS began to produce a variety of maps aimed at different audiences, including leisure users, explorers, and tourists.

The Popular Edition One-Inch Map was first introduced in the 1910s and was an update of earlier series, such as the First and Second Series one-inch maps. The one-inch maps were so named because they provided a scale of 1 inch to 1 mile, which was considered a convenient size for general use.

The Special Sheets were supplementary to the standard series, covering specific areas of interest in greater detail or highlighting places of special importance, such as national parks, tourist destinations, and military sites. These maps were often produced to meet the needs of a growing middle class interested in outdoor recreation, such as hiking and cycling, and provided more detail and clearer representation of terrain features than their predecessors.

Design and Features

The Popular Edition maps were known for their high-quality cartography and attractive design, with a particular focus on legibility. The Special Sheet maps were part of this Popular Edition, often released to cater to special demands or unique geographical regions. These maps were printed on high-quality paper and used distinct colours to represent different types of land use and topography.

Some key features of the Special Sheet Popular Edition maps include:

• Relief Representation: Hills, valleys, and other terrain features were shown using contour lines, shading, and hachures (a form of shading using parallel lines).
• Land Use: The maps clearly depicted urban areas, roads, railways, and rural features such as woods, farmland, and open spaces.
• Symbols: These maps used a comprehensive set of symbols for natural and man-made features, such as churches, post offices, police stations, footpaths, and railway stations.
• Geological and Historical Features: In certain areas, the maps highlighted archaeological sites, ancient ruins, and notable historical landmarks, making them useful for historians and archaeologists.

Key Uses

1. Tourism and Outdoor Recreation: The Ordnance Survey’s Special Sheet Popular Edition One Inch Maps were particularly useful for tourists, hikers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts. They provided detailed information on roads, footpaths, and scenic areas, which was increasingly important in the early 20th century as interest in leisure travel grew.
2. Military Planning: Given the strategic value of detailed maps, these were also used for military purposes, particularly in World War I and the interwar years, for planning and logistical support.
3. Urban and Rural Planning: These maps were essential for civil engineering, town planning, and rural development. The one-inch scale was large enough to provide a clear view of settlements and land features, yet small enough to cover large areas.

Popular Edition’s Legacy

The Popular Edition one-inch maps were eventually replaced by later series of Ordnance Survey maps, such as the Seventh Series in the 1950s, which continued to improve on cartographic detail and readability. By then, the scale of 1 inch to 1 mile was being replaced by more metric-based scales (e.g., 1:50,000), which were more suited to modern needs.

However, the Popular Edition, and particularly the Special Sheets, are remembered for their clarity, beauty, and the crucial role they played in mapping Britain during a period of rapid social, economic, and technological change.

Today, these maps are collected as valuable artefacts of British cartographic history and remain useful to historians, collectors, and outdoor enthusiasts. Many are preserved in libraries, archives, and private collections, and digital reproductions are available for those interested in exploring the landscapes of early 20th-century Britain.

Conclusion

The Ordnance Survey Special Sheet Popular Edition One Inch Map is an important part of British cartographic history. Its blend of accuracy, attention to detail, and visual appeal helped make it an essential tool for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals alike. Despite later technological advancements, the Popular Edition remains a much-admired example of Ordnance Survey’s commitment to high-quality mapmaking.

Location: Book room: 002451

SHOP WITH CONFIDENCE AT HORNSEYS

At Hornseys, we are dedicated to offering items that uphold the highest standards of quality and authenticity. Our collection of artwork is carefully curated to ensure that each item we offer is authentic, collated, and complete.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Authenticity and Provenance: Each map is researched and verified for authenticity.
• Expert Curation: We wholly own all our artworks. We trust our taste and have invested heavily in it. We have confidence in all artwork that we offer for sale.
• Customer Satisfaction: We strive to provide an exceptional customer experience, from detailed descriptions and provenance to secure and prompt delivery of your purchase.
• Returns Policy: We offer an unconditional guarantee on every item. If, however, you wish to make a return, artworks may be sent back to us within fourteen days of receipt for whatever reason. We request that we are notified in advance if you wish to do so. They must be returned to us in the same condition as they were sent for a full refund.

OUR COMMITMENT TO QUALITY AND SERVICE

Understanding the value and rarity of these items, we ensure that every aspect of your purchase meets the highest standards of quality and service. This includes:

• Free Expedited, Tracked, and Insured Delivery within the UK: Ensuring that your artwork arrives safely and promptly.
• Fully-Insured Worldwide Delivery: Offering peace of mind for international collectors with reliable and secure shipping options.

EXPLORE OUR COLLECTION

Visit Hornseys today to explore our fine collection of maps and other artworks. Whether you are an avid collector or looking for a special gift, our selection offers something truly unique. Located since 1976 in Ripon in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, we are recognized as a destination gallery for tastefully curated artwork, rare maps, design, and fine books.