"The City of London",

This charming pictorial map of London was designed by Mary Sims and published by Maps & Guides Ltd. The map focuses on approximately one square mile of central London, extending from the Tower of London in the east to the Temple Church in the west, and north to Farringdon. Main streets are named and Underground stations are shown, with illustrations of important buildings, sites, and personages interspersed throughout the map. The border surrounding the map includes the city's coat of arms, the Lord Mayor's procession, and the coat of arms of twelve Livery Companies: Mercers, Grocers, Drapers, Fishmongers, Goldsmiths, Merchant Taylors, Skinners, Haberdashers, Salters, Ironmongers, Vintners, and Clothworkers. The dating of the map is based on the whimsical depiction of the Mermaid Theatre at Puddle Dock, which opened in 1959, and the usage of the British Railways' lion and wheel crest, which was used between 1956-65. The map is accompanied by the original paper wrappers in which it was issued, with the title and arms of London printed on front, and a history of the city on verso.

Mary Sims was a British illustrator who was known for her work for the British Railways and a number of children's books. Sims partnered with Mary Camidge to create "Maps & Guides Ltd." and in 1977 they established a bookstore that specialized in children's books and illustrated books, called the Portman Bookstore.

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Condition: A

A bright example, issued folding with minor wear along the folds and a few faint spots of foxing. The wrappers are in excellent condition with a few minor spots of foxing.