Worldwide Shipping Old Victorian Map Of London, 1890: Highly Detailed, County Borders, Reduced From Ordnance Survey Series [jMzcDe16]

Step into the vibrant heart of Victorian London with the “Environs Of London,” a remarkable city map published by W.H. Smith & Son in 1890. This original work, rooted in the esteemed tradition of Ordnance Survey cartography, offers a meticulously detailed and colorful depiction of London and its surrounding counties at the close of the 19th century. The map’s clarity and organization by county boundaries make it an indispensable artifact for collectors and historians alike, encapsulating the rapid urban expansion and administrative complexity that defined London during this era.

W.H. Smith & Son, the distinguished publisher behind this map, was renowned for democratizing access to high-quality geographical information. Their maps were prized for both their accuracy and their practicality, often found in the hands of travelers and city dwellers navigating the bustling metropolis. This particular map reflects the company’s commitment to excellence, combining the precision of the Ordnance Survey with the elegant design sensibilities of the Victorian period. It is a testament to the era’s fascination with exploration, infrastructure, and the burgeoning modern city.

What sets this city map apart is its masterful rendering of London’s significant neighborhoods and districts, each vividly labeled and color-coded. From the leafy expanses of Hampstead and Highgate to the lively quarters of Camden Town, Chelsea, and Brixton, the map offers a window into the diverse communities that shaped the city’s character. The inclusion of outlying areas such as Croydon, Wimbledon, and Woolwich underscores the extent of London’s reach and the interconnectedness of its urban and suburban landscapes at the dawn of the 20th century.

Landmarks and open spaces are rendered with exceptional clarity, inviting the viewer to trace the course of the River Thames as it winds past icons like Hampton Court Palace, Kew Gardens, and the Greenwich Observatory. Expansive parks—Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, Richmond Park, and Wimbledon Common—stand out as verdant oases amid the urban sprawl, while the Crystal Palace and Windsor Castle serve as enduring symbols of Victorian grandeur and innovation. These features not only orient the viewer but also evoke the social and cultural life of the city in its golden age.

The “Environs Of London” map is a celebration of both artistry and utility, capturing the intricate web of roads—Oxford Street, Whitechapel Road, Edgware Road, and more—that connected London’s neighborhoods and fueled its growth. Its historical significance lies in its ability to transport us to a transformative moment in the city’s history, when tradition and modernity converged on every street corner. For the discerning collector or lover of urban history, this map offers a rare and beautiful glimpse into the soul of Victorian London.

Streets and roads on this map

• Bayswater Road
• Brixton Road
• Brompton Road
• Camden Road
• City Road
• Clapham Road
• Commercial Road
• Cromwell Road
• Edgware Road
• Euston Road
• Finchley Road
• Fulham Road
• Gray's Inn Road
• Hackney Road
• Harrow Road
• Holloway Road
• Kensington Road
• King's Road
• Lewisham Road
• Marylebone Road
• Mile End Road
• New Cross Road
• Old Kent Road
• Oxford Street
• Pentonville Road
• Regent Street
• Seven Sisters Road
• Tottenham Court Road
• Uxbridge Road
• Whitechapel Road

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Crystal Palace
• Greenwich Observatory
• Hampton Court Palace
• Kew Gardens
• Richmond Park
• Windsor Castle
• Bushy Park
• Epping Forest
• Hyde Park
• Regent's Park
• Wimbledon Common
• Battersea
• Brixton
• Camden Town
• Chelsea
• Clapham
• Croydon
• Deptford
• Dulwich
• Fulham
• Greenwich
• Hampstead
• Highgate
• Islington
• Kensington
• Lambeth
• Lewisham
• Paddington
• Peckham
• Putney
• Streatham
• Wandsworth
• Westminster
• Wimbledon
• Woolwich
• River Thames

Historical and design context

• Published by W.H. Smith & Son in 1890, a prominent Victorian bookseller and publisher known for accessible, high-quality maps.
• Derived from Ordnance Survey sources, ensuring meticulous detail and accuracy.
• Color-coded by county boundaries, clearly organizing London and its surrounding counties.
• Highlights the rapid urban expansion and administrative complexity of late 19th-century London.
• Designed for practical use by travelers and city dwellers, reflecting the democratization of geographical information in the Victorian era.
• Includes an index to Smith and Son's reduced Ordnance maps for enhanced navigational utility.
• Serves as a significant historical artifact, capturing the urban landscape, infrastructure, and social geography of Victorian London.

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 20in (50cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

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.