Children’s Map of London

A whimsical look at pre-war London on a children’s map of the city.

This colorful look at The Big Smoke is brought to us courtesy of the 19th century Bartholomew publishing dynasty. It shows the city with a particularly juvenile audience in mind, despite the inclusion of the city’s oldest pub – the Cheshire Cheese. Generous use of charming illustrations, literary references, and building views provide a wonderful overview of England’s rich cultural heritage; from the nursery rhymes of Mother Goose to the historic crests of the countries comprising the United Kingdom.

The lighthearted attitude extends to the scale – home of the tortoise and the hare – and the wonderful quotes scattered throughout the image. However, a more serious note is taken in the message along the bottom, which reminds the reader that all royalties from the map are being donated to the Hospital for Sick Children.

This map is normally attributed to a date of 1955, but this appears incorrect. Ollie O’Brien at Mapping London indicates numerous examples of names that were obsolete by 1940, including Farringdon & High Holborn Station, Friar Street, Gravel Lane and the London Passenger Transport Board. Further, an acknowledgement to the widow of Rudyard Kipling, who died in 1939, can be seen in the lower left.