John Rocque (English, ca. 1705-1762) A Plan of the Cities of London and Westminster and the Borough of Southwark, ca. 1749, first edition, second state, engraved by John Pine and John Tinney, 1745, twenty-four sheets each measuring 26-1/2" x 19", scale 26 inches to one statutory mile, with title cartouche bottom center surmounted by the London arms and flanked by male and female nudes, with scale/legend cartouche bottom left, dedicatory cartouche bottom right and ornamental border, each sheet archivally mounted in a burlwood frame and glazed, 29-1/2" x 25-5/8", the frames interlocking for display purposes. A fine copy of the transitional state as noted by James Howgego in Printed Maps of London, circa 1553-1850, number 96, containing the addition to sheet A2 of Chesterfield House, completed in 1749, but lacking nearby Hill and John Streets. This magnificently displayed lot is accompanied by letters of authenticity dated 1993 from antiquarian book and manuscript dealer Harry Stern, Chicago, Illinois. 
Detail of cartouche
Detail of Bloomsbury section
From New Orleans Auction Galleries, Inc.
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Monday, 2 February 2009
the Smoke
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5 comments:
I do love a map. But, in your professional opinion, are the estimates listed in the auction a bit ... optimistic? I wouldn't know, of course, but they just seemed a bit higher than I would have expected.
P.S.- "the Smoke?"
Stunning map, beautifully framed - and clver that interlocking feature, otherwise you could go mad with unstraightened frames; well I would.
Mamacita - "the Smoke" was the nickname for London in the 19th Century.
I thought the estimate for this was on the low side. I would think double the top end still a bargain.
Yep... I'd kill for this.
Well, I learn something new everyday.
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