In 2023, Britannic Auctions sold an original 1857 edition of Kelly’s Post Office Directory Map of London for $425. This map is a snapshot of 19th-century London, crafted with impressive detail and ingenuity. It was preserved in very good condition and still had its original cloth tape, a feature collectors appreciate.
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The Map’s Innovative Features
Kelly’s Post Office Directory Map of London introduced a Patent Index. This tool let people pinpoint locations accurately, a groundbreaking feature. Copied from the Post Office London Directory, it captured a growing London, including its newly created postal districts. In 1857, this map sold for two shillings plain or three shillings colored. It was an affordable and practical resource. Kelly & Co. printed it at their Old Boswell Court office in Strand (W.C.), setting a high standard for map production.
Technological Breakthroughs in Mapmaking
The 19th century brought big changes to cartography. Lithography made map production quicker and cheaper, bringing high-quality maps like Kelly’s to more people. Publishers like Kelly & Co. used these advancements to create practical tools for navigation and trade. The 1857 map’s Patent Index showed how the new tech improved usability and made navigation more precise.
Collectors today prize these maps for their historical context and craftsmanship. Features like hand-drawn details, innovative navigation tools, and links to significant historical events make them popular at auction.
Values of Kelly’s Post Office Directories
Maps and directories from Kelly’s continue to attract interest from collectors. Here are examples of sales at auction:
- Dominic Winter Book Auctions (2023): A small 1864 edition of Kelly’s Post Office London Directory sold for GBP 60, approximately $75.
- Keys Fine Arts Auctioneers (2019): An 1883 edition covering Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk, missing some maps, sold for GBP 102, around $127.
- eBay (2011): A full leather 1874 edition of Kelly’s Post Office Directory of London with 2,484 pages sold for GBP 125, or $195.
- Modern Editions: 20th-century editions, such as the 1962 Post Office London Directory, are far less valuable. One sold for GBP 24.50 (approximately $30) in 2016.
The value of these items depends on their publication date, condition, and completeness. Earlier editions with unique features, such as maps or Patent Indexes, tend to fetch higher prices than modern counterparts.
Bid or Consign Antique Maps Today
Antique maps, including Kelly’s Post Office Directory Map of London, remain sought after by collectors. You can bid on similar works or consign your own with Britannic Auctions. We offer expert valuations and a reliable consignment service. Sign up for our mailing list to stay updated on upcoming auctions and opportunities.
