Wallis’s Plan of the Cities of London and Westminster for 1800

A well-used traveler’s map of London issued at the dawn of the 19th century.

This wonderfully detailed plan of central London evokes the grit and grime of Europe’s largest city in the midst of the Industrial Revolution. One can almost sense a previous owner gripping the page as they trot along the winding cobblestone streets, or sit comfortably in the back of a rented carriage.

Major routes are labeled within the image, along with parks & squares, churches, alms houses, local businesses, and other important buildings. Of particular interest are the British Museum, the Cricket Grounds at Paddington, the Tower, and Houses of Parliament. The historic walled city is outlined in red while public outdoor are green – both in original color applied by hand.

The bottom of the sheet exhibits a complex table of coach fares from registered stands across the city. A list of general rules and regulated fees are also shown on either side. This information, regulated by the Commissioners of the Coach Office, functioned much like today’s cab fares & regulations publicly posted in each vehicle. According to the text in the lower left, “coaches [are] obliged every Day in the Week unless he shall have been out 12 hours or have other excuse to go to any place within 10 miles if he has time to return by Sun-set.”

The map was published in London in May of 1800 by John Wallis. In addition to maps, Wallis was a prominent creator and seller of board games and puzzles during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.