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Alan Godfrey Maps

@alangodfreymaps.bsky.social

140 followers 270 following 360 posts

Travel in time, witness the changes technology wrought upon Britain & beyond using our maps as a window into history, brought alive by our researchers & authors. Great Gifts! From £3.50 pp. https://www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/acatalog/home.html

www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk

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Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 22h

A 120-year-old map might not seem to have much of a connection to someone alive today, but what it portrays may still be there, in a new purpose or as a solid monument to much older times.
The lines on the page can evoke lost family or friends.

www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/yorks17411.htm
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-Andrew.

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Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 22h

So why is today’s sample a Cavalry & Infantry Barracks?
Look at the date on our map again– York (SE) & Heslington 1907.
In a few years soldiers here would be marching to France. In a generation they'd do so again. My grandfather did, in the early 1940s when he was old enough to lie about his age.
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Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 22h

The lands around Heslington would go on to become parts of the University of York, and many of the large homes and institutions shown here are now student accommodations.
This little map would be a great gift for students old and new, a little memento of what was and what now is.
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Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 22h

The fascinating thing about today’s new map is what can’t be seen.
That might not sound like a good start, but read Martin Handley’s great map notes and you’ll understand.
He takes us on a tour of the whole map, from Roman times to today, documenting the incredible changes the area's witnessed.
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Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 1d

Here's the weekend!

Woohoo!

We have new maps from #York and #Bolton for you over the next four days!

Can you tell Andrew is excited? 🤣

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Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 1d

Also... Palmerstone Avenue? As in the Victoria British PM?!

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 1d

There's a bunch of jokes in there somewhere!

And is that "Charlemaine Street"?

Reposted by Alan Godfrey Maps

Frédéric Moreau @goodclimate.bsky.social · 1d

Here's my little part of the world in 1893, in great detail, half built up, house by house.

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Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 1d

That's beautiful ❤️

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 1d

That's a shame.

I feel that when you step back from a series of maps covering a city 100+ years ago it really gives you an insight into the past you can't quite get from history books.
I love seeing the streets etc unfold.

Sorry, I'm a bit of a map nerd 😂
-Andrew.

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 1d

Belgium? Must be knee deep in history there?!

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 1d

I understand.

It's incredible, how easy it is to fall into the detail of a map, isn't it? Even one you don't think you have a connection to.

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 1d

Alan is the boss, I'm a chap behind a map account 😀 - Andrew.

They're bloody brilliant though, yes!

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 1d

You've got more tongues than a discount butcher!

-Andrew

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Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 1d

Did anyone notice we just posted about #Birmingham and didn't mention blooming #PeakyBlinders once?!

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 1d

The bones of the area– rails, hospital, prison- are still there, but many of the back-to-backs seen elsewhere on this map are gone. Their descendants live further out of the city now, contributing to the great wealth & diversity of life the city still enjoys.
www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/warks1304.htm

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 1d

The semi-skilled workforce, quick to learn through necessity, led to advancements in things like steam engines and motorcars. The population of the city and those around it ballooned, the space between population centres was ample for expanding business and industry, and the growth continued.
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Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 1d

A staple trade for centuries was metal work. Nails gave way to chains, as technology developed items like coffin handles, coins & snuffboxes were made- mass produced & moved using canals.
Factories fed many specific demands= huge flexibility. If one trade declined, factories would adapt & change.
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Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 1d

The Black Country Colossus was built on many foundations.
This map, Birmingham (Winson Green & Hockley) 1888 was once the edge of the city, but the metropolis soon filled any gaps, thanks to the railways & canals.

The once-isolated institutions here are hemmed in by homes, business & transport.
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Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 2d

Or a map. You know, a high-quality reprint of a historically interesting OS map with a well researched essay on the back?
Heck, buy a book AND a map.

You only live once!
Buy two of each!

Bookshop.org @bookshop.org · 3d

Can’t decide what to buy on Prime Day?

Try: absolutely nothing, and then go support indie bookstores instead 📚

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Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 2d

You can buy this fantastic map-monument to #England (and #Britain, to be more inclusive) here – www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/kent1906.htm

You’ll also find almost 4,000 other brilliant #maps on the site too.

....
Tomorrow we’re visiting #Birmingham, and from the 10th we’re showcasing FOUR new maps!

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 2d

The centre of our sample image is a cricket ground nestling into a bend in the River Medway, one of #England's most historic rivers.
These great national symbols are joined by others – a tennis court, a Norman-era castle and a grand 1000-year-old cathedral.
You can almost smell the patriotism!
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Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 2d

“This one has the largest share (of the city centre) and includes the CATHEDRAL, most of the CASTLE, the ancient parish churches and ‘Kings School’….” Pamela’s map notes do make a good point that this is a lively map, as you’ll see on our sample today.

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(printed map is clearer than sample)

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 2d

“#Rochester’s ancient centre is lovely, packed full of interest and relatively small, but thanks to an unhappy fall of the OS’s grid lines it is split between three maps.”

Pamela Taylor, her map notes and I are in disagreement, because I think that’s a brilliant opportunity to buy THREE maps!

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Reposted by Alan Godfrey Maps

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 3d

'Central Sunderland 1914' is probably one of the most intriguing maps I’ve seen in my time with AGM.

Sunderland today is probably accompanied by a slight shrug when someone thinks of the place, even by an inhabitant of that noble city. And yet, it contains incredible multitudes.
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