Map of Victorian London by W.B. Clarke and J. Henshall for the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, 1835 art print poster canvas gift

A highly detailed map of Victorian London, published under the Superintendence of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (SDUK) in 1835. Drawn by Architect W.B. Clarke, published by Baldwin & Cradock, 47 Paternoster Row, London, 1835. Engraved, printed and hand-coloured by J. Henshall.

This scarce map of London contains an astonishing amount of detail. There are two attractive views of London in upper-right corner and innovative size comparison of principal buildings below. Because of the sheer amount of information, much of the original map text is very small - please note this when choosing the size below.

William Barnard Clarke (born 1806) was an English architect and archaeologist. A gifted sketch artist, he published a collection of maps of European cities. William Barnard Clarke was a President of the Architectural Society in London in 1834-35. Clarke was also an active member of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge.

The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (SDUK), was founded in 1826 with the object of publishing information to people who were unable to obtain formal teaching and was mainly intended for the middle and working classes. SDUK published inexpensive texts intended to adapt scientific and similarly high-minded material for the rapidly expanding reading public. Its printers included Baldwin & Cradock, later succeeded by Charles Knight. The Society commissioned work and dealt with the printers and distributed the publications; profits were used to continue the Society's work. However, attempts to reach the working class market were largely unsuccessful. The Society was eventually wound up in 1848, though some of its works continued to be published.

This poster is a high quality "giclée" reproduction of a restored antique original, custom-printed on Standard Single-weight Matt Coated art paper 140gsm or  Heavyweight Matt Coated art paper 230gsm (more of a thin card density), or superb Epson Matt Canvas 320gsm, according to your choice. We use the latest UltraChromeHDX pigment inks which guarantee 60 years of colour  permanence (up to 200 years fade-proof for colour prints).  This poster is suitable for mounting and framing, as well as direct display on a wall.