SENEX, John (1678-1740)

A Plan of the City's of London, Westminster and Borough of Southwark with the new Additional Buildings Anno 1720

London: Senex, 1720. Copper-engraved map by Samuel Parker, with full modern colour, skillfully repaired split at top of centerfold, overall in very good condition. Sheet size: 20 3/8 x 25 inches.

A fascinating, highly detailed map of London by one of the leading English cartographers of the period.

This is an excellent parish by parish, block by block map of the London that was built after the Great Fire of 1666. (St. Paul's was completed in 1710). The map includes an index that locates the 87 parishes in London and Westminster, and eight in Southwark. Many parishes had new churches built between the years 1670 and 1711, 52 of which were designed and executed by Christopher Wren. Samuel Parker, the engraver, did a superb job of drawing and engraving so that minute details of the city's topography are shown. The attractive cartouche includes symbols of London's greatness: two cornucopeias, one of fruit and one of precious metal objects and jewels. At the base is a picture of a king, presumably George I, whose sword and scepter are supported by two dragons. To the sides and behind these are symbols of British cultural and mercantile superiority. The map is dedicated to Sir Peter Delme, a very wealthy and powerful gentleman, one of the first residents of Grosvenor Square, and, for a time, Lord Mayor.

Darlington & Howgego, Printed Maps of London, 65.

Item #14790

Price: $1,750.00