Civitas Londinum Ano Dni M D L X.

• Price: $8,500.00
  

  SKU: 103179

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• ARTIST: George Vertue

• MEDIUM: Copper plate engraving

  DATE: 1737.

• EDITION SIZE: Eight sheets, each sheet measures 14 1/2 x 21 1/4" (36.8 x 53.8 cm) Overall if joined, 29 x 85"

• DESCRIPTION: One of the most detailed maps of Elizabethan London, covering an area from the Tower of London in the east to Westminster Abbey. This map shows the city as it was in 1560.<br><br> The title continues with: "This Plan shews the ancient extent of the famous Cities of London and Westminster as it was near the begining of the Reign of Queen Elisabeth these plates for their great scarcity are re-engraved to oblidge the Curious and to hand and to hand to Pasterity this Old Prospect Wherby at one view may be seen how Much was built of this populous City and parts adjacent at that time."<br><br> It captures the City as it was developing beyond its original walls, but with farms and pastures still much in evidence nearby. Deer can still be seen in St. James Park. The major roads of entry to the city are shown and named, many of which are now well-known thoroughfares. Much of the Roman built London wall is still intact, and the Tower complex is well detailed. At the very lower left is Westminster Abbey and just to the north is Scotland Yard. St Pauls Cathedral is shown without a steeple, which fell in 1561, offering some corroboration to Vertues 1560 date as the time depicted by the plan. Bear and bull baiting rings can be seen in the plan on the south bank of the Thames across from the City. Although produced in the eighteenth century, this work was based on an extremely rare, sixteenth century plan, known, according to Howgego, in just three examples. In fact, the original, attributed to Ralph Agas by Vertue on this plan, is referred to as being of great Scarcity in the title of this map. There is some doubt as to whether Agas was the maker of the original plan, as Vertue is the sole source for that attribution. Howgego states that the eight sheets that make up this plan were engraved in pewter, a metal very rarely used in the production of maps.<br><br> George Vertue (1684-1756) was a prominent early 18th century engraver and antiquarian. His eclectic and artistic tastes drew him into the tastemaking circles in London during his time. He was a contemporary of William Hogarth and both were members of the Rose and Crown Club. He was also a member as well as the official engraver for the London Society of Antiquaries.<br>br>

• ADDITIONAL INFO: Eight uncut sheets.

• CONDITION: Overall in very good condition. Occasional minor crease. One small section of paper loss in lower left sheet, outside of plate mark.

• REFERENCE: Howgego 8

• CATEGORIES: Maps