1860 Cruchley Pocket Map of London, England

A first-edition example of George Frederick Cruchley's 1860 pocket map of London, England. The map captures the city at the height of the city-wide 19th-century urbanization that coincided with the Industrial Revolution.

A Closer Look

Centered on Blackfriars Bridge, the map covers from Regent's Park to Chelsea Hospital and from Hyde Park to Southwark Park. Streets, bridges, wharves, docks, parks, the imprints of important buildings, and railway stations are identified throughout. The map gives particular attention to the railroads, highlighted in red, that were being developed throughout London at the time. A purple border outlines the City of London.

Historical Context: A City of Extremes

London in 1860 was a rapidly growing metropolis at the heart of the British Empire, undergoing an epoch-defining transformation due to the Industrial Revolution. At the time, London's population reached over three million, making it the largest city in the world, with a skyline increasingly defined by new industrial structures and railways. Extensive urbanization of the suburbs and landmark projects like the construction of the London Underground (which began in 1863) aimed to modernize the city - forcing map makers to constantly update maps to keep up with the changes. Alongside this prosperity, there was a growing undercurrent of severe social problems: overcrowded slums, poor sanitation, class inequality, and widespread poverty.

Publication History and Census

This map was printed by Gall and Inglis of 25 Paternoster Square for George Frederick Cruchley.