Published almost 300 years ago by master mapmaker John Rocque, this is the first detailed map of North West London and West London. It was originally published in 1746, following a highly accurate survey of London and its suburbs starting in 1740. It is a beautiful, highly detailed and extremely rare old map.
This is sheet 12 of 16, covering the London Boroughs of Camden, Brent and the City of Westminster, all of which form part of Greater London, located to the west and northwest of the city centre.
When this map was published, towns and villages such as Willesden, Neasden, and Kingsbury were part of the historic county of Middlesex. It wasn't until relatively recently that they joined the borough of Brent.
Also visible on the map at the top right is Kenwood House (also referred to as the Iveagh Bequest), a 112-acre parkland built in the 17th century and used as the Earls of Mansfield's residence during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Some of the locations on this map include: Hampstead, Kingsbury, Neasden, Willesden, Cricklewood, Shoot-Up Hill, Brent Cross, West End, City of Westminster, Camden, Brent and North End.
Rocque published two major maps of London. This map here is a single sheet from a very fine 16-sheet map of "London and 10 miles around". His other map, a 24-sheet map of central London with magnificent detail, is far more famous.
This map looks great at all sizes: 18x12in (46x30.5cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x36in (61x91.5cm), 30x45in (76x114.5cm), 33x50in (84x127cm), 40x60in (102x153cm) and 47x70in (120x178cm), but it looks best at larger sizes.
I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 120in (305cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.
The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (61x91.5cm) version of this map.
The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.
If you’re looking for something slightly different, another option would be this amazing map of North London by Edward Stanford in 1862.
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 or housewarming gift for someone interested in North West London and West London or someone from the London Borough of Camden, Brent or City of Westminster.
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.