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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 8 depicts the north-eastern approaches to London, focusing on Hackney Marshes, Homerton, Stratford, and the surrounding Lea Valley. In the early 1870s this area was a mixture of developing urban neighbourhoods, expansive marshland, and key waterways. The map captures the complex network of rivers, canals, and early railway lines that were crucial to the area’s industrial growth.
Cartographic Details
- Finely engraved line work with hand colouring typical of Stanford’s 19th-century maps.
• Hackney Marshes and surrounding green spaces are shaded in green, contrasting with the built-up streets of Homerton and Stratford.
• The River Lea, the Lee Navigation, and associated waterworks are prominently shown, alongside multiple railway lines converging on Stratford.
Administrative and Postal Features
- The sheet primarily falls within the East London (E) postal district established during mid-19th-century reforms.
• Red boundary lines denote parish and district borders, reflecting the administrative layout before 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 part of east and north-east London and is covered by several modern Royal Mail postcode districts:
• E9 – Hackney Wick, Homerton
• E10 – Leyton (western sections)
• E15 – Stratford, Maryland
• E20 – Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park area (formerly part of E15)
• E5 – Upper Clapton (north-west corner)
In summary, Sheet 8 provides a detailed picture of the Lea Valley in the early 1870s, showcasing marshlands, waterways, and the beginnings of major railway infrastructure that would drive the transformation of Stratford and its surroundings into an industrial and later commercial hub.
