This copy is copyright protected.
Copyright © 2024 Geographicus Rare Antique Maps
This item has been sold, but you can get on the Waitlist to be notified if another example becomes available, or purchase a digital scan.
1895 Barthholomew Cyclist's Map of 50 Miles Around London, England
London50Miles-bartholomew-1895$100.00
Title
The Cyclist's Map of Fifty Miles Round London showing in color all rideable roads and dangerous hills.
c. 1895 (undated) 23 x 30 in (58.42 x 76.2 cm)
c. 1895 (undated) 23 x 30 in (58.42 x 76.2 cm)
Description
This is J. Bartholomew's c. 1895 cyclist's may of 50 miles around London. Covers the greater London area from Ricester in the northwest eastwards and southwards as far as the coast. Includes the counties of Buckingham, Hertford, Essex, Middlesex, Surrey, Kent, and Sussex. By the end of the 19th century bicycling in London (and vicinity) had evolved beyond recreation to become a practical way to get from place to place. Cyclist's maps, like this one, began appearing around 1870 and continued to be published well into modern times. Map shows town, rivers, forests, parks, roads and all practical bicycling routes. Mileage from London is noted in ten mile increments. Curiously for a cycling map, this map also shows various offshore shoals, sandbars, and shipping routes. Attached to an extremely attractive decorative binder.
Cartographer
The Bartholomew Family (fl. c. 1810 - 1920) is clan of map publishers active in London through the 19th century. They represent one of the great names in British cartography. The cartographic story of the Bartholomew family begins with George Bartholomew (January, 8 1784 - October 23, 1871, active from 1797), an engraver in the employ of the Daniel Lizars firm of Edinburgh. George was the first of six generations in the Bartholomew map-making dynasty. It was his son, John Bartholomew Sr. (1805 - April 9, 1861) who ultimately founded John Bartholomew and Sons in 1828. The John Bartholomew firm produced thousands of maps and rose to become one of the largest and most prolific cartography firms in Scotland. John Sr. was succeeded by his son, also John Bartholomew Jr. (1831-93). John George Bartholomew (1860-1920), son of John Bartholomew (1831-93) took control of the firm at its height. John George was a charter member of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society and supported the creation of a National Institute of Geography - a good idea that never took off. John George is also reliably attributed to be the first to bring the term "Antarctica" into popular usage as a denominator for the Southern Continent. In recognition of his work, John George was awarded a warrant from the king and often used the title "Cartographer to the King" on his imprint. Among his friends and admirers he was referred to as the "Prince of Cartography". John (Ian) Bartholomew (1890 - 1962) continued the family business and oversaw publication of the Times Survey Atlas of the World in 1922 and the Mid Century Edition of the Time Atlas of the World from 1955 - 1960. John Christoper Bartholomew (1923 - 2008) continued the family business into a fifth generation and was fascinated by the natural sciences. He spearheaded the publication of many of the most detailed and popular maps of the last century. His brother Robert, a trained printer, became production director. Another brother, Peter, an accountant, started as a managing director and eventually became executive chairman. The John Bartholomew firm has been part of the HarperCollins family of publishers since 1989. The vast archive of maps and atlases produced by the Bartholomew family has since been transferred to the National Library of Scotland where it is currently in the cataloguing process. More by this mapmaker...
Condition
Very good condition. Wear and verso reinforcement along original fold lines. Folds into original decorative cardboard binder.
References
Hyde, Ralph, Printed Maps of Victorian London, 1851 - 1900, 274.