Black Friday Doorbuster Old Pictorial Map Of London By Henry Banks, 1851: "a Balloon View" Of Buckingham Palace, St Paul's, Parliament, Hyde Park, Etc. Collection [2MDAZf4W]

This 1851 map, titled "A Balloon View of London (As Seen From Hampstead)", offers a unique perspective of the city, as if viewed from a hot air balloon floating above Hampstead Heath. This remarkable vantage point provides an unparalleled view of London's urban landscape during a period of rapid growth and transformation.

The map extends from Hyde Park in the west to Rotherhithe and Limehouse in the east, capturing the vast expanse of the city. It encompasses iconic landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Parliament, Lambeth Palace, St Paul's Cathedral, and Elephant & Castle, all of which stand as testaments to London's rich history and architectural heritage.

Beyond these prominent landmarks, the map also reveals the intricate details of London's neighborhoods and streets. The viewer can discern the railway viaducts that crisscross the city, the street names that guide its inhabitants, and the individual buildings that make up its urban fabric. This level of detail makes the map an invaluable resource for historians, urban planners, and anyone interested in the evolution of London's cityscape.

The map's significance lies not only in its historical value but also in its artistic merit. It is a beautiful work of art, hand-drawn with meticulous precision. The cartographer's skill is evident in the intricate details of the buildings, the careful placement of street names, and the overall composition of the map. This map is a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of 19th-century mapmaking.

John Henry Banks, the creator of this remarkable map, was a renowned cartographer and publisher of the Victorian era. His work is characterized by its accuracy, attention to detail, and artistic flair. "A Balloon View of London" stands as one of his most celebrated achievements, a masterpiece that captures the essence of London in the mid-19th century.

This is an old map, and not every modern place is shown, or they may be on the map with a different name. If this was a modern map, covering the same area, the following things would be visible on the map:

Locations

• London
• Hampstead
• Wandsworth
• Camberwell
• Greenwich
• Grand Surrey Canal
• Kennington Common
• The Oval
• Buckingham Palace
• Parliament
• Lambeth Palace
• St Paul’s Cathedral
• Elephant & Castle
• Regents Park
• Hyde Park
• Rotherhithe
• Limehouse

Topics

• Victorian Metropolis
• Balloon View
• Cityscape
• Architecture
• Urban Planning
• Transportation
• Industrialization
• Social History
• Cultural History
• Economic History

Features

• Railway Viaducts
• Street Names
• Buildings
• Parks
• Bridges
• Canals
• Churches
• Palaces
• Government Buildings
• Commercial Buildings
• Residential Buildings

Labelled Features

• Buckingham Palace
• Elephant & Castle
• Grand Surrey Canal
• Greenwich
• Hyde Park
• Kennington Common
• Lambeth Palace
• Limehouse
• Parliament
• Regents Park
• Rotherhithe
• St Paul’s Cathedral
• The Oval
• Wandsworth

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 40in (100cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

This map is wider than most maps, which would make it a perfect statement piece above a mantelpiece, sofa or desk.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.