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The Old London Map Company are pleased to offer this fine art reproduction sympathetically enhanced and digitalised from the original to a standard equalling museum quality. This map was originally published by Edward Stanford in 1872. Like the other sheets in the series, it originally formed part of a 24-sheet large-scale map depicting London and its surroundings during the late Victorian era. Now produced in individual editions so you can enjoy a finished piece featuring the particular area of interest within Victorian London.
Overview
Sheet 21 portrays the southern outskirts of London, focusing on the areas around Wimbledon, Merton, and Lower Tooting. In the early 1870s this landscape was still predominantly rural, with extensive commons, farms, and small villages, but the arrival of railways was beginning to attract suburban development.
Cartographic Details
- Fine engraved line work and hand colouring, consistent with Stanford’s high-quality cartography.
• Wimbledon Common and surrounding woodland are prominently shaded in green.
• Early railway lines, including the London and South Western Railway, are clearly depicted, reflecting the growing importance of rail connections.
Administrative and Postal Features
- This sheet falls mainly within the South Western (SW) postal district introduced in the mid-19th century.
• Red boundary lines mark parish and district divisions predating the modern London borough structure.
Original Size
The complete Stanford’s Library Map measured about 9 × 12 feet (approximately 2.7 × 3.7 m) when all 24 sheets were assembled. Each individual sheet, including Sheet 1, was printed on paper roughly 18 × 24 inches (about 46 × 61 cm) which we supply as our Medium size but due to the quality of our scanning process we are also able to offer a larger edition at 24 x 29 inches (about 61 × 73.5 cm) printed on conservation grade paper.
Modern Postcode Coverage
Today, the area covered by Sheet 21 corresponds roughly to the following modern Royal Mail postcode districts:
• SW19 – Wimbledon, Merton
• SW20 – Raynes Park
• SW17 – Tooting (eastern sections)
• CR4 – Mitcham (southern edge)
• SM4 – Morden (south-west edge)
Twenty Major Places Shown on the Map
Notable locations visible include:
1. Wimbledon Common
2. Wimbledon Village
3. Wimbledon Park
4. Merton Abbey (remains of medieval priory)
5. River Wandle
6. Lower Tooting village
7. St Mary’s Church, Merton
8. St Mary’s Church, Wimbledon
9. Morden Hall (southern fringe)
10. Morden Park (southern fringe)
11. Wimbledon Windmill
12. Beverley Brook
13. Cannizaro Park (estate grounds)
14. Wimbledon Station (early railway stop)
15. Haydons Road Station
16. Tooting Graveney Common (eastern fringe)
17. Colliers Wood (north-east corner)
18. Summerstown
19. Durnsford Road area
20. Mitcham Common (southern edge)
Twenty Major Roads and Thoroughfares Shown
Prominent streets and routes include:
1. Wimbledon Hill Road
2. High Street, Wimbledon Village
3. Merton High Street
4. Kingston Road
5. Haydons Road
6. Durnsford Road
7. Plough Lane
8. Garratt Lane (eastern edge)
9. Merton Road
10. Church Road (Wimbledon)
11. Parkside (Wimbledon Common edge)
12. Southside Common
13. Arthur Road
14. Ridgeway
15. Alexandra Road
16. Gap Road
17. Wimbledon Park Side
18. Melrose Avenue (later development area indicated)
19. Tooting High Street (east edge)
20. London Road (Morden approach)
In summary, Sheet 21 captures a largely rural and picturesque landscape of Wimbledon and its surroundings in 1872, on the brink of the suburban expansion that would follow the coming of the railways.
