Bartholomew’s Pocket Plan of Edinburgh & Suburbs

Early 20th century linen backed pocket map of Edinburgh.

The well known publishing firm of John Bartholomew & Son was founded in Edinburgh in 1826 and continued to design and produce cartographic material until it was absorbed by Harper Collins in 1989. This map is an excellent example, c. 1907, of the company’s city plan and index of Edinburgh in a folding pocket map form.

Layered color gives the reader a clear indication of territory within the city limits that is largely settled (pink), natural (green), or empty (white). Text both within the map and in columns on either side of the image identify streets, railway stations, parks, gardens, churches, colleges, libraries, museums, monuments, theaters and the all-important football and cricket grounds. The index identifies each location of interest with a corresponding grid value, which can be identified using the numerals and digits just outside the border.