The Handy Series Of Pocket Maps – London And Four And Half Miles Round Charing Cross

Publisher: George Philip & Son
Price: £300
Publication Date: Not dated but c.1900
Edition: Not stated
Format: Original engraving
Scale: 3 inches to 1 mile
Condition: In very good condition, unframed
Sheet Size: 75.5cm x 102.5cm when opened

Condition:

Philips’ New Map Of London. Dissected on linen on 50 folds. Lacks the index. A fine and detailed map of the London centring on Charing Cross on a scale of three inches to one mile. Slight wear along original folds. Creasing and minor wear to the front cover. Map with bright original colour and nice and clean with very minor age-toning and marks. Overall in very good indeed condition and highly suitable for framing. Scarce.

The Handy Series Of Pocket Maps: A Brief Description:

The Handy Series of Pocket Maps was a popular collection of small, portable maps designed for easy use by travellers and city residents in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Among these, the map titled “London and Four and Half Miles Round Charing Cross” was particularly notable. It provided a detailed view of London and its surrounding areas, with Charing Cross as a central reference point.

Overview of the Handy Series

The Handy Series of Pocket Maps was published by various cartographic firms in Britain, catering to the growing demand for practical, easily portable maps. As urbanisation increased and cities like London expanded, maps that could be carried in a pocket became essential tools for both residents and visitors navigating the complex streets and neighbourhoods of the city.

The maps in this series were typically foldable, fitting neatly into a coat pocket or handbag. They were designed to be detailed enough to serve travellers on foot, by horse-drawn carriage, or later, by early motor vehicles. The series covered various regions and cities, but the London map, focusing on the area around Charing Cross, was one of the most popular.

London and Four and Half Miles Round Charing Cross

This specific map depicted the area within a 4.5-mile radius of Charing Cross, which is traditionally regarded as the central point of London. From the 17th century onwards, Charing Cross was considered the “official” centre of the city, and distances to other parts of London were measured from here.

Features of the Map

1. Scale and Detail: The map was highly detailed, showing streets, parks, railway lines, and key landmarks within the 4.5-mile radius. This covered a substantial part of central London and surrounding areas, including notable boroughs such as Westminster, Southwark, Islington, Kensington, and parts of the East End.
2. Key Landmarks: Important buildings such as Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Tower of London, and Houses of Parliament were prominently marked. Public parks like Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, and Green Park were also shown, making the map useful for both tourists and locals.
3. Railways and Transport: The map provided information on the railway lines, which were expanding rapidly at the time. Key stations like Charing Cross, Waterloo, Euston, and Paddington would have been marked, helping travellers navigate the city’s increasingly important public transport system.
4. Roads and Bridges: The major roads and thoroughfares, such as The Strand, Oxford Street, Piccadilly, and Regent Street, were clearly labelled, along with key bridges crossing the Thames, such as London Bridge, Westminster Bridge, and Tower Bridge.
5. Coverage: The area covered by this map would have included not only central London but also parts of West London (such as Kensington), East London (likely stretching towards Stepney and Limehouse), and parts of South London like Lambeth and Brixton.

Historical and Practical Use

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, London was experiencing rapid growth and modernisation. The city was expanding, new neighbourhoods were developing, and transport systems were becoming more complex. The Handy Series map of London and its surroundings would have been invaluable to individuals navigating the city during this period of change.

• Tourism: London was a major tourist destination even then, and maps like these helped visitors explore the city, especially with a focus on central areas rich in historical and cultural significance.
• Business and Trade: The growing number of businesses and tradespeople in the city also benefited from detailed maps, which allowed them to efficiently navigate London’s streets for work-related purposes.
• Local Residents: As London grew and more residential areas developed further from the city centre, these maps became crucial for local residents needing to commute or travel for social or commercial reasons.

Cartographic Accuracy and Style

The Handy Series of Pocket Maps were renowned for their accuracy and clarity. The map of London and the surrounding 4.5 miles would have been produced with precise cartographic standards, showing detailed street plans and accurate placements of key landmarks. The style of these maps was often simple and easy to read, using clear lines and limited colour to highlight important features without overwhelming the user with too much information.

Legacy

Maps like the “London and Four and Half Miles Round Charing Cross” reflect the evolving needs of a growing city and the increasing mobility of its residents and visitors. Today, these pocket maps are considered valuable historical artefacts, offering a glimpse into how London was perceived and navigated during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods.

Collectors of historical maps often seek out copies of the Handy Series due to their combination of practical design and historical interest. These maps are also studied by historians to understand the development of London’s urban layout, transportation networks, and public spaces during a transformative era in the city’s history.

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