83-0

Plan of Birmingham, drawn by J. Sherrif of Oldswinford, late of the Crescent Birmingham

Image from: Bisset’s Magnificent Guide or Grand Copper Plate Directory for the Town of Birmingham, 1808
[From Birmingham Central Library]

02. Plan of Birmingham, drawn by J. Sherrif of Oldswinford, late of the Crescent Birmingham

The map shows the main street pattern and identifies the main public and religious buildings by a key where they are not specifically identified on the map. Several indications of the town’s industrial and commercial significance are shown including:
• The expansion of Birmingham along the roads leading out of the town,
• The canal system and wharves,
• The location of several industries including steam mills, a brass works and breweries.

The map provides a geographical context for the advertisements included in the Directory. Interestingly, the representation of a rural landscape at the bottom of the map complete with trees, a lake and neo-classical temple was being destroyed as Birmingham’s rapid growth penetrated the adjacent countryside. Anna Seward’s poem, Colebrook Dale (1785), contrasts Birmingham’s progress as a centre for innovation and economic progress with the consequent industrial pollution and destruction of the landscape.


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972-0A Catalogue of Commerce and Art: Bisset’s Magnificent Guide for Birmingham, 1808 84-0Frontispiece to Bisset’s Magnificent Directory 83-0Plan of Birmingham, drawn by J. Sherrif of Oldswinford, late of the Crescent Birmingham 85-0Birmingham Fire Office 86-0Bankers and Public Companies in Birmingham 87-0Physicians, Surgeons, Apothecaries and Chemists in Birmingham 88-0Attorneys at Law in Birmingham 89-0Sword, Gun and Pistol Manufacturers in Birmingham 90-0Mercers, Linen Drapers, Haberdashers, Hosiers and Lacemen in Birmingham 91-0J Taylor, Gold and Silversmith, Jeweller, Tortoiseshell and Ivory Box and Toy Manufacturer, Birmingham 92-0Cabinet Makers, Upholsterers, Gun Makers and Saddlers in Birmingham 93-0Birmingham in Miniature or Richard’s Magazine for the Manufacturers of Birmingham and its Vicinity 94-0Bankers in Birmingham and Businessmen adjacent to Birmingham 95-0Merchants in Birmingham 96-0Miscellaneous Businesses in New Street, Birmingham 97-0Miscellaneous Businesses in High Street, Birmingham 98-0Gun Makers in Birmingham 99-0Inns, Hotels and Taverns and Swinney’s Type Foundry in Birmingham 100-0Factors or Commercial Agents in Birmingham with a view of the Crescent and Wharf 101-0Miscellaneous Professions and Businesses in Birmingham with a View of St Philip’s Church 102-0Miscellaneous Professions and Businesses in Birmingham with Emblems of their Trade 103-0Henry Clay, Japanner, and Artists in Birmingham 104-0Sword Makers in Birmingham 105-0Brass Founders with a view of the Brass House in Broad Street, Birmingham and Miscellaneous Businesses 106-0Toy Makers in Birmingham with a View of the Navigation Offices 107-0Miscellaneous Professions and Businesses in Birmingham with a View of St Paul’s Chapel 108-0Japanners in Birmingham and a View of the Park Glass House 109-0Cards of different Professions and Businesses in Birmingham 110-0Miscellaneous Businesses in Birmingham with a View of the Town from the Warwick Canal 111-0Button Makers in Birmingham 112-0Miscellaneous Professions and Businesses in Deritend near Birmingham 113-0View of Matthew Boulton’s Soho Manufactory and Royal Mint Offices in Handsworth near Birmingham 114-0View of the Eagle Iron Foundry and Mr. Whitmore’s Engineering Works in Birmingham 115-0View of Lloyd’s, New Hotel and Hen and Chickens Inn, New Street, Birmingham 116-0Exterior and Interior View of Jones, Smart and Company’s Glass Manufacturers, Aston Hill, Birmingham 117-0Thomason’s Button and Toy Manufactory, Church Street, Birmingham 118-0View of the Westminster Life and British Fire Insurance Offices, Strand, London, with a List of the Directors. J. Gottwaltz, Birmingham Agent 119-0The Phoenix Fire Office, Lombard Street and Charing Cross, London, with a List of the Directors. J. Farror, Birmingham Agent. 120-0Two Manufacturers, a School, an Engineer and an Inn near Birmingham 121-0Blair and Sutherlands, Gun Makers, Brook Street and Harper’s Hill, Birmingham 122-0Button Makers and other Businesses of Birmingham 123-0View of Birmingham from Aston Wharf with the Names of various Businesses 125-0Miscellaneous Metal Manufacturers and other Businesses in Birmingham 126-0Toy Maker and Japanners in Birmingham 127-0Surveyor, Sutton Coldfield and Coach Spring Manufacturers, Birmingham 128-0A Bookseller and list of Appraisers and Auctioneers in Birmingham 129-0Merchants and Factors in Birmingham 130-0Hepinstall and Parker’s File Manufactory, Ann Street, Birmingham and Walsall, Staffordshire 131-0Miscellaneous Traders, Professions and Manufacturers in Birmingham 132-0Trade Cards for various Businesses in Birmingham 133-0View of Warstone Brewery, Warstone Lane, Birmingham, belonging to Alex Forrest and Sons 134-0Various Toy Makers and Jewellers in Birmingham 135-0Thomas Robinson, Chemist, and Roberts, Jeffery and Co, Button and Toy Manufacturers, Snow Hill, Birmingham