John Rocque | A plan of the cities of London and Westminster, London, c.1749

John Rocque

A plan of the cities of London and Westminster and borough of Southwark, with the contiguous buildings, from an actual survey taken by John Rocque, land-surveyor, and engraved by John Pine. London, c. 1749

Second edition, large engraved plan in 24 sheets joined to form eight panels across two large folding screens, each panel 2340 x 500mm., scale 26 inches to the mile, the map decorated with three large elaborate cartouches and the whole enclosed by a rococo border

ROCQUE’S FAMOUS LARGE-SCALE MAP OF LONDON FINELY PRESENTED ON TWO FOLDING SCREENS.

Rocque’s plan of London was larger than any earlier published map of the city, and stands as a primary record for the London of the mid-eighteenth century. This second edition has minor alterations, such as the addition of Chesterfield House (completed 1749), Hill Street, and John Street.

"The Plan, when fitted on Canvas, may be fixed on a Roller, with a Pulley, to the Cornice of the Wainscot… It likewise makes a beautiful and useful Screen" (Sayer and Bennett’s Catalogue of New and Valuable Prints, 1775).