Large Old Map of Oxford by Hoggar, 1850: Colleges, St. Giles', High St, Magdalen St, River Thames

The "City Plan of Oxford" by Robert Syer Hoggar, crafted in 1850, is a captivating glimpse into the historic heart of one of England's most renowned cities. This map, produced for the Oxford Paving Commissioners' sanitary inquiry of 1851, is not just a navigational tool but a detailed portrait of mid-19th-century urban life. With its meticulous depiction of Oxford's principal buildings, colleges and clearly marked county and parish boundaries, it offers a window into the architectural and civic landscape of the time. The map's precision and elegance reflect Hoggar's expertise as an associate of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Robert Syer Hoggar's work is a testament to the art and science of cartography in the 19th century. His association with the Institution of Civil Engineers underscores his commitment to accuracy and detail, making this map an invaluable resource for historians and enthusiasts alike. Engraved by Thos. Jones, the map is a masterpiece of design, showcasing the intricate street patterns and significant landmarks that define Oxford. Hoggar's dedication to his craft is evident in every line and contour, capturing the essence of a city steeped in history and tradition.

Oxford, with its rich tapestry of neighborhoods and landmarks, comes alive through Hoggar's map. The depiction of areas such as St. Giles' and Cornmarket Street reveals the vibrant urban fabric of the city. Each street and building is carefully rendered, offering insights into the daily life and social structure of the time. The map's inclusion of significant thoroughfares like High Street and Magdalen Street highlights the bustling commercial and academic activities that have long been the city's hallmark.

The map also provides a fascinating look at Oxford's natural and built environment. The presence of the River Thames, winding its way through the city, adds a dynamic element to the urban landscape. The careful marking of parks and open spaces reflects the city's commitment to green areas amidst its architectural splendor. This balance between nature and urbanity is a defining feature of Oxford, and Hoggar's map captures it with remarkable clarity and beauty.

In essence, the "City Plan of Oxford" is more than just a map; it is a historical document that captures the spirit of a city at a pivotal moment in its development. Its detailed portrayal of Oxford's streets, buildings, and boundaries offers a unique perspective on the city's evolution and its enduring legacy. For collectors and historians, this map is a treasure trove of information and a testament to the artistry and precision of 19th-century cartography.

Streets and roads on this map

• Banbury Road
• Beaumont Street
• Broad Street
• Cornmarket Street
• George Street
• High Street
• Holywell Street
• Longwall Street
• Magdalen Street
• New Inn Hall Street
• New Road
• Parks Road
• Queen Street
• St. Aldate's
• St. Clement's Street
• St. Giles'
• St. John Street
• Turl Street
• Walton Street
• Wellington Square
• Worcester Street

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Inset maps:
• Two inset maps of detached portions of St. Clement's parish.
• Landmarks:
• Numerous principal buildings are named.
• Neighbourhoods:
• Detailed layout of the city streets and neighbourhoods within Oxford.
• Colleges:
• All extant Oxford colleges as of 1850 are clearly shown on this map

Historical and design context

• Creation date: 1850
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Robert Syer Hoggar, engraved by Thos. Jones
• Purpose: Produced for the Oxford Paving Commissioners' sanitary inquiry of 1851.
• Themes and topics:
• Illustrates principal buildings and marks county and parish boundaries.
• Scale: 1 inch to 44 feet (1:1584).
• Regions shown: The city of Oxford, England.
• Design/Style: Detailed street map with emphasis on buildings and boundaries, typical of mid-19th-century urban planning and survey maps.
• Historical significance: Reflects urban planning and sanitary concerns of the time, providing insights into mid-19th-century Oxford.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This is a very large map that must be ordered at a large size, so that you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your order for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps and art prints look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.