Rare Old Map of Greater London, 1922: Thames, Small Scale, Suburbs

Explore the Historical Tapestry of London with the 1922 Times Map

Delve into the rich history and intricate geography of London with this exquisite 1922 map, published by the prestigious Times newspaper. Known for its meticulous attention to detail and historical accuracy, The Times has outdone itself with this offering, providing not only a map but a snapshot of London during a pivotal moment in its history.

A Cartographic Masterpiece

This map is a treasure trove of information, beautifully rendered in vibrant colors that differentiate its diverse features. The relief is elegantly depicted by contours and spot heights, making it easy to visualize the rolling landscapes that characterize the outskirts of the city. The map covers an extensive area, including parts of Middlesex, Essex, Surrey, and Kent, enveloping the viewer in the vast expanse of London's reach at the time.

Rich in Detail and Design

The design of the map is a testament to the cartographic style of the early 20th century, focusing on both political and physical geography. It clearly marks the boundaries of the City Police District and the County of London, crucial for understanding the administrative limits during this period of significant expansion. Wooded areas, parks, and forests are distinctly marked, offering a glimpse into the city's verdant spaces, such as Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, and the farther reaches of Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest.

Railway and Underground lines are meticulously plotted, a nod to the burgeoning transport network that fueled the city's growth. Important landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, and the Tower of London are pinpointed, making this map not only a tool for navigation but a guide to the city's rich heritage.

Historical and Cultural Significance

Published at a time when London was doubling in population and rapidly expanding, this map captures the essence of an era of profound change and development. It reflects the transformation from a densely packed metropolis to a sprawling urban area, absorbing surrounding villages and towns into its fold. This map is not merely a navigational aid but a historical document that captures the spirit of London in the early 20th century.

Ideal for Collectors and Enthusiasts

Whether you're a collector of historical maps, a scholar of London's urban development, or a lover of beautifully crafted cartographic designs, this map is an essential acquisition. It offers a unique window into the past, presented with the quality and reliability that The Times is renowned for.

In owning this map, you possess not just a piece of history, but a piece of art that tells the ever-evolving story of one of the world's most fascinating cities.

Cities and towns on this map

• London (8,308,369)
• Croydon (384,832)
• Kingston upon Thames (171,469)
• Sutton (196,382)
• Merton (204,793)
• Wandsworth (327,663)
• Lambeth (326,420)
• Southwark (309,798)
• Lewisham (286,970)
• Greenwich (276,966)
• Bexley (255,345)
• Bromley (333,236)
• Havering (244,272)
• Barking and Dagenham (194,536)
• Redbridge (294,666)
• Waltham Forest (270,198)
• Newham (338,974)
• Tower Hamlets (318,387)
• Hackney (253,756)
• Islington (239,406)
• Camden (227,264)
• Brent (333,110)
• Ealing (343,355)
• Hounslow (262,414)
• Richmond upon Thames (197,578)
• Harrow (247,564)
• Hillingdon (282,091)
• Barnet (394,926)
• Enfield (331,017)
• Haringey (263,645)

Notable Features & Landmarks

• The River Thames
• The Houses of Parliament
• Buckingham Palace
• The British Museum
• The Tower of London
• St. Paul's Cathedral
• Westminster Abbey
• Hyde Park
• Kensington Gardens
• Hampstead Heath
• Epping Forest
• The Lea Valley
• The Greenwich Meridian
• The Crystal Palace
• The Albert Memorial
• The Royal Albert Hall
• The Natural History Museum
• The Science Museum
• The Victoria and Albert Museum
• The Tate Gallery
• The National Gallery
• The British Library

Historical and design context

• Published by The Times in 1922, a newspaper renowned for its detailed and reliable maps.
• Shows the political and physical geography of London during a period of rapid growth and urban expansion.
• Detailed and accurate representation of London's geography, drawn in a traditional style with the use of color to distinguish different features.
• Relief shown by contours and spot heights, with wooded areas and boundaries clearly marked.
• Includes railway and Underground lines, crucial for understanding the transport network of the time.
• Provides a valuable snapshot of London at a time of great transition, reflecting the city's expansion into the surrounding countryside.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.