Plan of the Borough of Newcastle Comprising the Town and County of Newcastle upon Tyne and Part of the County of Northumberland together with Gateshead

Stunning folding map of Newcastle upon Tyne showing the city in exquisite detail during the early Victorian Era. A reference table below lists the churches, banks, and schools.



This map was drawn and published by Thomas Oliver, a architect and city planner who made important contributions to the development of Newcastle. This map was his masterpiece and was noted in his obituary as his crowning achievement. It was delicately engraved by William Lizars in Edinburgh. All of the city's buildings are marked, with public buildings more heavily shaded. Parks, gardens, and plantations are marked as well. It is particularly interesting that every field surrounding the city is numbered. According to a note in the lower-right corner, an index was available which named the owners of each of the numbered fields. This would have been of particular interest to developers like Oliver himself, who were looking for new lands to build upon.



This map is a splendid example of the grand city plans which began to be produced in the 1820s using modern trigonometrical surveying techniques. The production of a map of this quality indicates a growing civic pride amongst the citizens of Newcastle and a desire to be held in esteem alongside larger cities like London, Liverpool, and Manchester.



Original hand-colour. Folded. [NTHUMB345]