A Scarce and Spectacular Victorian "Balloon" View of London

[John Henry Banks]. A BALLOON VIEW OF LONDON. [AS SEEN FROM HAMPSTEAD.] London: Banks & Co., circa 1851. Likely second edition. Large folding engraved map with hand-coloring; dissected at folds and laid on linen. This example is well-presented under a mat and framed with Museum Glass.

Sight size 25 x 43 3/8 in.; Frame dimensions 36 3/8 x 53 5/8 in.

This large bird's eye view of London captures the city from the Isle of Dogs on the left (East) to the newly built Crystal Palace in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens on the right (West), and from The Oval (South) to Regent's Park (North). The map is extremely detailed with street names, monuments, buildings, and more. It was originally published on the opening day of the Great Exhibition on May 1, 1851.

Scattered mostly light wear including a few chips, spots, and closed tears, with the heaviest wear in the lower sections including a repaired tear to the corner of one segment; not examined outside the frame. A scarce map, especially with such beautiful color.