The Old London Map Company are pleased to offer this fine art reproduction sympathetically 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 5 captures the north-western approaches to London in the early 1870s. It includes the developing suburban areas around Kilburn, Brondesbury, and Willesden, as well as the expansive cemetery at Kensal Green. The map shows the contrast between the densely built streets of Kilburn and the open fields and farmland that still characterised much of Willesden and its environs at that time.
Cartographic Details
- Precision-engraved line work with delicate hand colouring typical of mid-19th-century cartography.
• The North Western Railway and its associated sidings are prominent features, as is the Grand Junction Canal running along the southern margin.
• Parks, open spaces, and notable institutions such as Kensal Green Cemetery are shaded in green and labelled clearly.
Administrative and Postal Features
- The large red “N W” identifies the North Western postal district introduced during the mid-19th-century postal reforms.
• Red boundary lines delineate parishes and districts, reflecting the administrative geography prior to the formation of modern London boroughs.
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 paper roughly 18 × 24 inches (about 46 × 61 cm).
Modern Postcode Coverage
Today this area forms a key part of north-west London’s residential districts. Modern Royal Mail postcode districts covering this sheet include:
• NW6 – Kilburn, Brondesbury, West Hampstead (western edge)
• NW10 – Willesden, Harlesden, Kensal Green
• W9 – Maida Vale (south-east corner)
• W10 – North Kensington and Kensal Town (southern margin)
In summary, Sheet 5 portrays a transitional landscape where the railway and canal spurred urban growth, yet large areas of open countryside still remained on the edge of London in the early 1870s.
