Booth's Descriptive Maps of London Poverty - 1889

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  • Publisher: Old House Books
  • Catalogue: 177629
  • Scale: 1:10,000 approx.
  • Size Folded: 17x24cm
  • Size: Each sheet 91x70cm
Set of two loose sheets of inner London (each measuring 91x70cm) at approximately 1:10,000, colour-coding each street according to the relative wealth of its inhabitants in 1889; a fascinating look at what London life was like in this defining era.

Between 1886 and 1889 a wealthy London Businessman called Charles Booth and his team of assistants conducted a research on the living and working conditions of London's inhabitants. The project is representative of the Victorian's concern and interest towards the urban society. Booth's survey was thorough and accurate. Based initially on school board officials' reports, the research was then extended to local authorities' appraisals, including reports from teachers, clergy and lay helpers.

Particular attention was dedicated to acquiring information on the habits of the poorer sections of society and this meant visiting numerous parts of London street-by-street, often house-by-house. Every house was marked with a seven-point colour grade, from the peachy yellow Upper-Middle and Upper Classes (described as 'wealthy') to the black Lowest Classes ('Vicious - Semi-Criminal') - shock or amazement are left to the reader.

A 12 page booklet is included detailing the map's history, and life at the time of it's publication.