The New Pictorial Map of London.

Description

A delightfully whimsical and richly illustrated pictorial map of central London, this gem captures the city in bold colors and charming caricature. Issued by Geographia Ltd., the map blends geographic accuracy with visual humor, offering a lighthearted tour through London’s neighborhoods, landmarks, and characters.

Landmarks such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, The British Museum, The Houses of Parliament, and Trafalgar Square are instantly recognizable, each rendered in cartoon form and surrounded by humorous vignettes—like the Elephant & Castle literally shown as an elephant bearing a castle. Underground stations are marked, and the River Thames flows playfully across the lower portion of the sheet, complete with swimmers, bridges, and boat traffic.

This map was clearly intended not just as a navigational aid but as a conversation piece and souvenir for visitors exploring postwar London. With its vivid palette, irreverent tone, and imaginative details, it offers a captivating snapshot of the city’s mid-20th-century personality. It is a perfect addition for collectors of pictorial maps, Anglophile ephemera, or vintage travel design.

The mapmaker apparently published two slightly different editions of this map within a few years of each other. The edition offered here appears to be the rarer of the two and is seldom seen on the antiquarian map market.