An atlas of Old London maps, showing the growth of the City throughout
successive centuries, is now issued for the first time. Up to a recent date
the maps here represented had not been reproduced in any form, and the
originals were beyond the reach of all but the few. The London
Topographical Society has done admirable work in hunting out and publishing
most of them; but these reproductions are, as nearly as possible,
facsimiles of the originals as regards size, as well as everything else. It
is not every one who can afford to belong to the society, or who wishes to
handle the maps in large sheets. In the present form they are brought
within such handy compass that they will form a useful reference-book even
to those who already own the large-scale ones, and, to the many who do not,
they will be invaluable.
The maps here given are the best examples of those extant, and are chosen
as each being representative of a special period. All but one have appeared
in the volumes of Sir Walter Besant's great and exhaustive "Survey of
London," for which they were prepared, and the publishers believe that in
offering them separately from the books in this handy form they are
consulting the interests of a very large number of readers.
The exception above noted is the map known as Faithorne's, showing London
as it was before the Great Fire; this is added for purposes of comparison
with that of Ogilby, which shows London rebuilt afterwards. Besides the
maps properly so called, there are some smaller views of parts of London,
all of which are included in the Survey.
The atlas does not presume in any way to be exhaustive, but is
representative of the different periods through which London passed, and
shows most strikingly the development of the City.
I must acknowledge the valuable assistance I have received from Mr. George
Clinch, F.G.S., in the many difficulties which arose in the course of its
preparation.