Proposed GREAT VICTORIAN WAY. SIR JOSEPH PAXTON MP 1855 old antique map chart

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'Great Victorian Way proposed by Sir Joseph Paxton MP and referred to in his evidence of 7th June 1855'


The Great Victorian Way was an unbuilt infrastructure project, plans for which were presented to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Metropolitan Communications by its designer Joseph Paxton in June 1855. It proposed a twelve-mile covered loop around much of central and west London, integrating a glass-canopied road and pneumatic (smoke free) railway, with shops and houses to each side. Three river crossings would have continued the arcade, creating inhabited bridges. The proposal was sympathetically received by the committee, and endorsed by Prince Albert prior to the passing of an act of Parliament which authorised its construction, but it was ultimately abandoned on cost grounds when the 1858 "Great Stink" resulted in London's infrastructure investment being channeled to the construction of Bazalgette's sewer network. The later Inner Circle (Circle Line), completed in 1884, roughly followed the route of The Great Victorian Way.

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Size 41 x 65 cm | 16.0 x 25.5 inches

Date Published: 23 July 1855

Type: Antique map with original colour, prepared for consideration by the British Parliamentary Select Committee on Metropolitan Communication

Author: Paxton, Sir Joseph

Sir Joseph Paxton MP. Sir Joseph Paxton (3 August 1803 – 8 June 1865) was an English gardener, architect and Member of Parliament, best known for designing The Crystal Palace.

Publication: Metropolitan Communications Hansard Report

"Report from the Select Committee on Metropolitan Communications; together with the proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence and appendix", order by The House of Commons, to be printed, 23 July 1855, Henry Hansard [Metropolitan Communications Hansard Report]

Condition: Fair |

Fair: The map has some soiling along the upper right hand edge - see scan. The map has split along a fold close to the right hand edge, which has been repaired. There is a small repaired tear in the left hand margin which extends 10mm inside the border of the map. The bottom left hand corner has a light crease. Please note any other blemishes on the scan prior to purchasing this picture. Please contact us if you would like to arrange to view this map. This is a folding map. There is nothing printed on the reverse side, which is plain

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We assess the condition of each item using three categories: Good, Fair, and Poor. We strive to ensure that any significant flaws are clearly shown in the images provided and detailed in the accompanying condition statement.

Good

The item presents well, with no significant flaws, and is in frameable condition. Minor imperfections—such as light spotting or offsetting, small blemishes, tight margins, neatly repaired tears, or discreet/professionally executed restoration—do not materially detract from its overall appearance.

Fair

The item shows noticeable flaws but remains in frameable condition. Some buyers may feel these imperfections affect its visual appeal. Typical issues may include more prominent spotting, blemishes, bleed-through from the reverse, obvious offsetting, visible or extensive restoration, wear along fold lines or junctures, small wormholes, trimmed or closely cropped edges, or less carefully executed repairs.

Poor

The item has major flaws that significantly impact its presentation and/or suitability for framing. These may include heavy spotting, staining, bleed-through, offsetting, unrepaired damage, or poorly executed repairs such as tears, holes, or areas of paper loss (including within the printed image). The item may also be fragile and prone to further deterioration.