This is the first known plan of the cities of Manchester and Salford. It is an extremely ornate plan complete with inset views of significant buildings and a fine panorama of the city below. It illustrates the cities as the population was growing rapidly but still arguably before the industrial revolution was to re-write its character.

It was printed in 1741 by Russel Casson and John Berry. Casson (fl.1741-47) is listed in Eden as a surveyor. John Berry (d.1765) as identified was a merchant grocer at the New Tea Warehouse, Manchester. His advert on the plan identifies the many wares he sold which include buttons, jewellery, silver, medicines, cough drops, music and musical instruments, including ‘fiddle strings’.

The two cities were divided during the English Civil War with Salford supporting the Royalist cause and Manchester the Parliamentarians. Similarly, Salford was host for another important period of English history. In 1745 just four years after this was published, the city supported Bonnie Prince Charlie’s claim to the English throne and hosted him and his army where he was blessed by Reverend John Clayton before marching to London. He was housed by John Dickenson at 44 market Street whose house is illustrated upper right. As a result, the house was nicknamed ‘The Palace’. Just nine days later Bonnie Prince Charlie returned defeated.

The main plan is orientated with north to the lower left. Deansgate runs top right to the centre of the city. Kay Street is most likely Quay Street. Other points of reference above Deansgate include King Street, ‘St. Jame Square’, and M Street (Market Street). Shude Hill on the left marks the site of the Arndale Centre today. At the bottom is Gravel Lane which still exists just south of present-day Trinity Way. An inset lower right illustrates the area as it was in 1650, the source has since been lost.

The plan is keyed by upper- and lower-case letters which refer to two side reference panels identifying 118 points of interest along with an additional 9 below the advertisement. Below is a superb panoramic view at bottom derived from that by Robert Whitworth first published in 1729 by Henry Overton and John Hoole. Above the two reference panels are two further describing the cities of Manchester and Salford. They highlight the growth in population and that the area now has about 6,000 houses and 30,000 inhabitants. It goes on to state that the three main trades are Cotton manufacturing, the check trade, and small wares which include lace, tapes etc. One unpleasant reference states that ‘Children, even of 4 or 6 years old, who by spinning, winding or weaving may earn more here than in any other part of ye Kingdom’.

Flanking either side are 6 images of key buildings including the residences of Mr. Floyd, Mr. Marsden, Mr. Croxton, Francis Reynolds, Mess. Clowes, and Mr. Marriott. These are supplemented with those of Mr. Howarth, Mr. touchet, Mr. Dickenson, Mr. Johnson, and Miles Bower above the main plan. Here also is found a view of St. Anns Square. The whole is surrounded by a side border of oak leaves and acorns with shells in the corners. A scale is placed in the lower border.

The engraving is the work of Benjamin Cole (1697?-1783) who signs it lower right, one of four of that name identified by Worms and Baynton-Williams who state that they are most likely related. His earliest recorded work is a magnificent four-sheet plan of Richmond in Yorkshire for Robert Harman published in 1724 of which just three examples are known. He died in London in 1783.

There are believed to be five known states, the first being published and dated 1741 which lacks the panorama below. This third state includes the panorama and adds a small compass rose added lower left. Two carriages are added to the foreground of the St. Anns Square view. A further 9 items are numbered as a key 45 through 53, and place below the advertisement. Two further properties, those of Mr. Johnson and Mess. Bower are added to the right of the plan and ‘A Plan of Manchester and Salford taken about 1650’ is added lower right. CBTM 19307; Eden (1975); Kain & Oliver (2015); Lee (1957) nos. 3 & 7; Maw, Peter (2021) ‘Provincial Merchants in Eighteenth-Century England: The ‘Great Oaks’ of Manchester’; Tooley’s Dictionary (1999-2004); Worms & Baynton-Williams (2011).