This large-scale plan is an unrecorded edition of Joseph Cross’ first of London. It was first published in 1828 to the large scale of four and a half inches to the mile. The title label on the slipcase states that the ‘whole surface of the Plan is divided into half mile squares.’ The Great Western Railway Terminus is shown on the edge of the map, much of it remains to this day. Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel it opened in the previous year. The beginnings of the extensive railway network in London are already seen. Howgego identifies 14 editions, the last being c.1864. This one dated 1855 is not listed. The 1854 edition extended the London and Southampton railway to Waterloo. Also, at the end of 1854 was one of the worst cholera outbreaks in London killing 10,000 people.

Joseph Cross (c.1791-c.54) was an engraver, mapseller, and publisher. He was a founding member of the Royal Geographical Society in 1830. His son of the same name joined him in the business about 1847. Provenance: inscription of G. C. Graham 1856; private English collection. Howgego (1978) 317 (this edition not recorded).