'London - The Bastion of Liberty'
20th century colour pictorial map, c1946
Caption below picture: 'London - The Bastion of Liberty'
A decorative mid-century pictorial bird's eye view map of London and Westminster created for the Travel Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a reduced version of the much larger quad-royal 1948 edition. The map contains a huge quantity of visual and textual detail relating to London's attractions, history, eminent characters from the city's history, and public buildings. The names of the main thoroughfares, neighbourhoods and train stations are emblazoned across the map in ribbons. The subtitle evokes the dark days of the Blitz, only a few years prior to publication, with a quote from one of Churchill's defiant Blitz speeches "We would rather see London in ruins and ashes, than that it should be tamely and abjectly enslaved" - a call to inspire tourists to return to visit the city that stood alone against Hitler after the restrictions of the war years. Surrounding the map, a highly decorative border features vignettes of some of the suburbs and places outside the central area covered by the map itself. As was the artist's habit, Kerry Lee has depicted himself signing the map in the bottom right hand corner.
DATE PRINTED: c1946 [This is the original version of the map which includes the acronymns of the railway companies next to the name of each station (removed from later editions) prior to nationalisation in 1948, and pre-dates the Royal Festival Hall, opened for the Festival of Britain in 1951 (added to later editions)]
IMAGE SIZE: Approx 51.5 x 66.5cm, 20.25 x 26.25 inches (Large)
ARTIST/CARTOGRAPHER/ENGRAVER: Kerry Lee
PROVENANCE: Published by Pictorial Maps Ltd for the Travel Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Queen's House, St. James's Street, London SW1. Printed in Great Britain by Chromoworks Ltd. Pictorial Maps Ltd. Blandford Studio, 81 Blandford Street, London W1
TYPE: 20th century colour pictorial map
VERSO: There is nothing printed on the reverse side, which is plain
CONDITION: Good; suitable for framing. Light spotting in margin. There are several repaired marginal tears, the most prominent of which runs horizontally from the right edge through the cartouche containing the Churchill quotation. Please check the scan for any blemishes prior to making your purchase. Please contact us if you would like to arrange to view this map. Virtually all antiquarian maps and prints are subject to some normal aging due to use and time which is not obtrusive unless otherwise stated. I offer a no questions asked return policy - see below.
AUTHENTICITY: This is an authentic historic print, published at the date stated above. I do not offer reproductions. It is not a modern copy. The term 'original' when applied to a print means that it was printed at the first or original date of publication; it does not imply that the item is unique. 'Print' means any image created by applying an inked block to paper or card under pressure by any method including wood engraving, steel engraving, copperplate, wood cut and lithography.
REMARKS: FRANCE: Gravures et Cartes anciennes. DEUTSCHLAND: Alte Lankarten und Stadt ansichten. ITALIA: Stampe e Mappe antiche. ESPA�A: Mapas antiquos y impresiones antiguas. E and OE. Force Majeure. English law shall apply.
RETURNS POLICY: I offer a no questions returns policy. All I ask is that you pay return shipping and mail back to me in original condition, suitably packed & insured, within 14 days of receipt.