| Method | Copper engraved |
| Artist | van der Aa, Pieter |
| Published | A Leide, Chez Pierre Vander Aa. Libraire: Imprimeur de l'Universite et de la Ville [Leiden, c.1729] |
| Dimensions | 500 x 580 mm |
| Notes |
A detailed and impressive city map of London at the turn of the eighteenth century, from La Galerie Agréable du Monde: Grande Bretagne et L'Irlande. The current example is a reworking by Van der Aa of a map originally published in Amsterdam by Johannes de Ram to commemorate the Glorious Revolution, and the elevation of the Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel, William of Orange, to the Monarchy of England, Scotland, and Ireland as William III, alongside his cousin and wife, Queen Mary II. The map is centred on London Bridge, and stretches from St James Park in the west to the docks at Shadwell in the east, and from the fields beyond Clarkenwell in the north to Kennington in the South. In the top right, a large banner encloses a list of 148 points of interest across the city, while a roundel in top left contains a numbered key for ten 'Places of Southwark.' De Ram's original plate featured beneath a large prospect of London from Southwark, topped by cherubs garlanding the scene and carrying emblems of Peace and War, as well as portraits of William and Mary. For this state, van der Aa has replaced De Ram's vignette with a large birds-eye perspective of Westwood House near Droitwich, with the impressive woodlands, avenues, and lake of its park. The House, an Elizabethan banqueting hall heavily remodelled during the Restoration by the staunchly royalist Pakington Baronets, became a gathering point for those who had taken the Oath of Allegiance to William III. In the bottom right corner, a large cartouche replaces the original royal portraits with the Arms of the City of London. Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733) was a Dutch publisher, best known for preparing maps and atlases. Despite producing his own work, van der Aa is also known for his production of pirated editions of illustrated publications and foreign bestsellers. Beginning his career as a Latin trade publisher in Leiden in 1683, van der Aa's ambition was to one day become the most famous printer in the city. In 1715, van der Aa was appointed the head printer for Leiden and its university. Condition: Horizontal and vertical creases. Some splitting to horizontal creases. Repaired tears to margins. Minor foxing and dirt staining. Patches of weak printing from wear to plate to right of central fold. Blank on verso. |
| Framing | mounted |
| Price | £1,750.00 |
| Stock ID | 53496 |