Old Map of Essex 1724, by Herman Moll – Southend, Colchester, Chelmsford, Basildon, Romford
This is an old map of the county of Essex in 1724, put together by expert cartographer and engraver Herman Moll, perhaps the finest and most important mapmaker of the 18th century.
The original description for his collection of county maps was rather interesting, so I’ll include it here:
“A set of fifty new and correct maps of the counties of England and Wales, &c. with the great roads and principal cross-roads, &c. Shewing the computed miles from town to town. : a work long wanted, and very useful for all gentlemen that travel to any part of England. All, except two, composed and done by Herman Moll, geographer… And, to render this work more acceptable to the curious, the margins of each map are adorned with great variety of very remarkable antiquities.”
This map looks great at all sizes, starting at 12×18 inches (30x45cm) to 24×36 inches (60x90cm) and beyond. I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 75 inches wide (190cm). Please get in touch if you’re looking for larger, customised or different framing options.
Many of the towns, villages and cities in Essex are already visible in this map.
Curiously, Southend on Sea didn’t exist yet! There is the small village of Prittlewell, though, which would later become Southend.
London is in the bottom left of the map, back when Essex extended all the way into the city. Now of course these parts of Essex have been incorporated into the London boroughs.
Moll’s county maps are adorned with interesting views and curios – in this case, an illustration of some ‘artificial spacious caverns’ near Tilbury.
The map also includes roads, the distances between some towns, mines, cemeteries and other landmarks.
Take a look at the detailed images and try to spot your hometown!
This would make a wonderful gift for someone from Essex or who has Essex in their heart.
You can order the map itself, or you can order a framed version. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that really makes our maps pop out when on a wall. Please get in touch if you’d like a different frame. We use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) in our frames – it’s less reflective than glass and better for transport.
