Original antique map of London as it was at the time of the Civil War and before the Great Fire.
The engraving was originally prepared by G. Vertue in 1738 and later published with Maitland's History of London in 1755.
This map shows the City of London and the various defences erected by Parliament during the Civil War against King Charles I during the 1640's. Two panels give an explanation of the 23 forts on the lines of defence.
George Vertue was an English engraver known primarily for his portraits and book illustrations. Though not acclaimed a great artist, Vertue left a body of work that has great historical value, including notes and memorandums that were to go into his planned History of the Arts in England. His collections were purchased after his death by Horace Walpole and formed the basis of Walpole’s four-volume Anecdotes of Painting in England (1762–71) and Catalogue of Engravers Born and Resident in England (1763).
William Maitland(1693–1757) was a Scottish merchant, who became famous as an historian and topographer.
Maitland travelled as merchant in northern Europe before settling for a time in London, where in 1739 he composed his most famous work “The History of London, from its Foundation by the Romans to the present time...”.
A second edition was published 1755.
