Art

A large and wonderfully decorative eighteenth century map of the county of Middlesex by the London draughtsman and cartographer; Richard Seale, printed by Bowles, Sayer and Tinney in Fleet Street. Seale worked on many maps for an assortment of widely published surveys, magazines and atlases. This striking map is flanked by the arms of all 92 Livery Companies of the City of London. Although these are listed alphabetically, the reality is that in 1515 the Court of Aldermen of the City of London settled an order of precedence for the forty-eight Livery Companies then in existence, which was based on the Companies' economic or political power. There are now 108 such companies in existence. The map is greatly enhanced by a decorative rococo style title cartouche and a large City of London coat of arms. This is truly a splendid and unusual map. Size: 585 x 760 mm. Copperplate engraving with original outline colour. Small split to extreme lower central fold, light foxing, otherwise in excellent condition.