John Cary’s first plan of London was published in 1782 and was available through 1787. This was replaced by a much larger one in 1787 and this smaller accompanying one in 1790 like the 1782. It proved to be very successful running to at least 18 states according to Howgego through 1836. This penultimate edition illustrates the city as the industrial revolution was beginning. The new St. Katherine Docks are illustrated opened in 1828. The nearby New London Dock highlights their capacity at ‘220 ships of 300 tons’. A detailed table below outlines the ‘Hackney Coach Fares’ throughout the city. The paper label on the slipcase highlights that the map also includes the ‘receiving Houses of the general, & Penny Post Offices … also a Correct List of upward of 350 Hackney Coach Fares’.

John Cary (c.1754-1835) and members of his family were prolific producers of maps, charts, and globes. Cary’s name, as an engraver, appears on plans dated 1779 although he did not formally set up his business in the Strand until 1783. His map and print selling business burnt down in January 1820. He was fortunate, though, not to lose his map plates which he used to publish atlases from his new address in St. James’s. By 1820 his son George and John II (c.1791-1852) had joined the business. Fordham (1925) pp. 33-5 (not listing this issue); Howgego (1978) 192; Worms & Baynton-Williams (2011).