There seems to be a geeky trend at the moment for publishing unusual maps of London. It's a trend that we applaud. The latest pair of cartographic curios to hit our desk both tackle the unusual and eccentric side of London.
Curiocity, London Unfolded is a minor work of surreal genius. One side contains a map of motorways that don't exist. The other is plastered with superior London trivia, dotted with daft games (pursue the pigeon), randomly decorated with a photo of a fried breakfast from SW9, and bisected by a ley line of watery places. Fold the page into a concertina and you discover a guided walk of Charlie Chaplin's Kennington. There seems to be no mission, purpose of coherence to Curiocity, which gives it an endearing charm in a world full of order. Editors Henry Eliot and Matt Lloyd are now at work on a second installment, which can't come soon enough. Peter Watts also gave it a glowing review.
Get a taste for the 'mapazine' on their website, where you can order a copy for just £2 + p&p. It's also available in some surprisingly mainstream stockists (British Library, ICA, London Review of Books...).
A Map of London Peculiars comes from the London Peculiar website (a treasure trove of antique London items for sale). Artist Julia Forte was one of the contributors to our recent hand-drawn maps exhibition at the Museum of London. She's now published a well-crafted guide to her favourite London oddities. These include the site of the first Blitz bomb to hit the City, London's oldest boundary stone, 18th Century graffiti, a cannon from the Battle of Trafalgar and many other diversions we wouldn't have known about. The rear of the map gives further details of over 70 locations.
You can get hold of the map from LP's website for just £3.50.
