1790 Sayer Pocket Map of London, England

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Price: $1,000.00

Title:    The London Directory or a New & Improved Plan of London, Westminster & Southwark; with the adjacent Country, the New Buildings, the New Roads and the late alterations by Opening of New Streets, & Widening of others 1790.

Description:    A highly appealing 1790 map of London by Robert Sayer. Centered on the Thames River, this map details central London from Islington to Shadwell and from Newington Butts to Tyburn. Only three bridges cross the Thames: Westminster Bridge, London Bridge, and Blackfriars (B.L. Fryers). The portions of the city devastated by the 1666 Great Fire of London are highlighted in red. A street index and public building index appears below the map proper. The earliest edition of this map was published by Sayer in 1765, with numerous updates to about 1800 – all states are rare, this being the 13th. Another, almost identical version of this map was issued by John Carrington and, having a slightly longer lifespan, was published and updated until about 1811.

Date:    1790 (dated)

References:    Howgego, James L., Printed Maps of London circa 1553-1850, #138-13.

Cartographer:    Robert Sayer (1725 - 1794) and John Bennett (active: 1770-1784) were an important English map and print publishing duo of the mid to late 18th century. It all began in 1747 Sayer acquired the firm of Philip Overton from his sister-in-law, Mary Overton. From his London office on 55 Fleet St., Sayer started in the map business by republishing the Overton stock while acquiring and expanding the business with plates from other printers - including maps, portraits, and nautical engravings. Sayer partnered with Bennett sometime in the late 1760s. They published numerous works by many cartographers including Kitchen, Jefferys, Belling, d'Anville and others. Upon Sayer's death, after nearly 50 years in the map trade, the firm was acquired by Laurie and Whittle, who would continue to republish revised and updated editions of his work for many years to come. Click here for a list of rare maps from Robert Sayer and John Bennett.

Size:   Printed area measures 21 x 16.75 inches (53.34 x 42.545 centimeters)

Condition:    Very good condition. Original linen backing in frayed, split, and reinforced in places, but the printed map itself is in near fine condition. Comes with orignal marbled paper case.

Code:   London-sayer-1790 (to order by phone call: 646-320-8650)