Plan of the Intended Navigable Canal from Moor Fields into the River Lee at Waltham Abby, surveyd by order of the City of London by Robert Whitworth 1773 (map / Waltham Abbey)

A Rare antique map entitled "Plan of the Intended Navigable Canal from Moor Fields into the River Lee at Waltham Abby. Surveyed by Order of the City of London." By Robert Whitworth. Undated but believe published in 1773 before it went to Parliament in 1774 were it was rejected, even though many users were greatly in favour. But the River Lee trustees were against it. The navigation of the River Lee was governed by a board of 65120 unpaid trustees, typically country magistrates. And the few trustees who used to turn up to meetings, only one was a trader who owned barges. In fact they were not very good, and were in debt due to miss-management and had to put up fees to barges etc. that used it. But they had more political might. The map was commissioned by the City of London, and surveyed by Robert Whitworth. It shows the proposed course of the new canal, the old River Lea, the so-called "New River", and something of the surrounding countryside. Size; Total area 19.5 x 53 wide cm approx. Plan size 13 x 50.5 cm approx. Condition; We have put Good, it has 5 edge tears, 2 to just inside the plan, one finger loss to base. It has 6 folds for folding. To rear has 2 old paper repairs over printing plate tearing, rough edges as photos of plan show. Very minor ageing. The map is hand coloured, and looks original or at least very old. We have found 2 other copies for sale, which are both cut down/ highly trimmed, and both higher priced. Size: 19.5 x 53 wide cm Approx. …