The southwest section of Stanford's Library Map of London showing Chelsea, Knightsbridge, Fulham, Kensington, Notting Hill, Hyde Park, Pimlico and Bayswater. The full Stanford's Library Map of London was first published in 1862 and was the most detailed map of the city ever published at that time. It could be purchased either as 24 individual sheets, mounted in sections on linen, or on a pull-down roller. Handsome hand colour could be added for an additional fee, as on this example.

The map was regularly updated to show new developments for almost 50 years. New additions to the map can generally be identified by the use of slightly thicker, cruder black lines or anywhere a simpler, sans serif font has been employed. This example, though undated on the map itself, shows the National Society Training College in Lambeth, an institution established in 1893 to train domestic servants. Stanfords moved from their Cockspur Street address in 1901, so we can safely date this map between 1893 and 1900.

Other interesting additions to the map include the enormous St Marylebone Infirmary in Ladbroke Grove, the Royal Aquarium in Westminster, and the London, Chatham & Dover Rail Works in Battersea.

Original hand colour. [LDN6987]