The hills & villages… within some 7 miles north & nor'west of Thame 1925 map

SKU: P-6-108556

'A map shewing the hills, villages, churches & the houses of the great and good, within some seven miles north and nor'west of Thame'


This beautifully illustrated map, designed and drawn by Spencer Hoffman in 1925, depicts the picturesque countryside of the Vale of Aylesbury, spanning parts of Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Published by John Fothergill of The Spread Eagle Inn in Thame, the map highlights numerous towns, villages, and grand country houses of the "great and the good," including Thame, Brill, Ludgershall, Dorton, Chilton, Long Crendon, Easington, Cuddington, Haddenham, Nether Winchendon, Upper Winchendon, Ashendon & Chearsley. Fothergill (1876–1957) was an English innkeeper and entrepreneur, described in Who's Who as a "pioneer amateur innkeeper." He purchased The Spread Eagle Hotel in 1922, transforming it into a renowned destination restaurant that attracted patrons from Oxford, London, and beyond—unusual in 1920s and 1930s England. The pub was regularly visited by Evelyn Waugh and his associates and is famously immortalised in Brideshead Revisited (Waugh had Anthony Blanche take Charles Ryder to dinner where they enjoyed its famous Mavrodaphne Trifle). Waugh gifted Fothergill a copy of his first novel, Decline and Fall, inscribed with the words: "John Fothergill, Oxford's only civilizing influence." The map was likely sold to guests and local tourists; however, its inscription, "given by J.F to K.H.F.", suggests that Fothergill's primary motivation to commission the map was for the pleasure of his wife, Kate.

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Size 36 x 45 cm | 14.0 x 17.5 inches

Date Published: January 1925

Type: Antique pictorial folding map, with cover

Author: Hoffman, Spencer

Designed & drawn by Spencer Hoffman, Architect

Publication: John Fothergill

Published by John Fothergill The Spreadeagle, Thame, Oxon. Printed by Emery Walker

Condition: Good |

Good; suitable for framing. Please check the scan for any blemishes prior to making your purchase. This is a folding map. There is nothing printed on the reverse side, which is plain

Delivery & Returns

Packing

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Returns

We accept returns for any reason if sent back to us within 14 days of receipt of your order. If any of your items are not as described, we will provide a full refund including reasonable return postage costs upon safe return to us. If you have changed your mind, you are responsible for the cost of returning the item to us. We describe the size, age and condition of all our products as fully and accurately as possible. Most of the items which we sell are in very good condition. However, the condition of antique and vintage prints and maps can vary. All of our product listings including a statement which classifies the condition as being either “Good”, “Fair”, or (rarely) “Poor” and which describes any material flaws, blemishes, imperfections or other significant features such as folds. Please read the description carefully before purchase.

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Condition Guide

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.