Printed on silk
By ROCQUE, John , 1754
£6,000
BUY

A Plan of London on the same scale as that of Paris: In Order to ascertain the Difference of the Extent of these two Rivals, the Abbe de la Grive’s plan of Paris, & that of London by J. Rocque have been divided into equal Squares where London Contains 39, and Paris but 29, so that the Superfice of London to that of Paris as 39 to 29 or as 5455 Acres to 4028. London therefore exceeds Paris, by 1427 Acres, the former being 8 1/2 square Miles & Paris only 6 1/3. by J. Rocque Chorographer to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, in the Strand, London 1754. R. Parr sculp. To the most High Puissant & Noble Prince John Duke of Montague &c. Grand Master of the most Honourable Order of the Bath, Master General of the Ordnance. Master of the Great Wardrobe, & Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter, &c. &c. This Plan is most humbly Inscrib’d by his Graces most devoted & Obed.t humble Servant. John Rocque.

British Isles London
  • Author: ROCQUE, John
  • Publication place: London
  • Publisher: Publish'd according to Act of Parliament
  • Publication date: 1754.
  • Physical description: Engraved map printed on silk, extending west to east from Hounslow to Woolwich, and north to south from Tottenham Hale to Croydon.
  • Dimensions: 430 by 620mm (17 by 24.5 inches).
  • Inventory reference: 1523

Notes

The map extends to what we now know as Greater London. It is based upon Rocque’s map of ‘London and The Country Near ten Miles Round’ printed on 16 sheets and published in 1746. Above the plan the title appears in English and French, and states that the map is intended to be used to compare London and Paris “in order to ascertain the difference of the extent of these two rivals”. The text goes on to say that London “exceeds Paris by 1427 Acres”. Whether this deemed London the winner is unclear, as size is not everything. Below the plan is a dedication to the Duke of Montague, together with allegorical figures and the Duke’s coat-of-arms. Rocque also produced a companion map of Paris in order for the gentleman to compare the cities side-by-side.

Scale: 1 1/4 inches to 1 statute mile.

Bibliography

  1. Howgego 101 state (1).
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