Keys and Explanations

Image: Key from map of Staffordshire, Phillips & Hutchings, 1832.

Image from: Local Studies and History, Birmingham Central Library

The key includes new symbols which reflect contemporary society, and recent history. Railways were very new at that time, but already there is a symbol for them. The Reform Act was passed in 1832; there is a symbol for ‘Places that send members to Parliament’ and under the Notes there is also a symbol for Polling Places. The Note also gives statistics about the population. Toll bars on roads are indicated, and locks on canals. There is artistry in the combination of some signs in the key. The hachuring which shows hills is extended so that it lies around the sign for rivers, and the signs for wind and watermills are placed so that the windmills are on high ground, and the watermills are on the rivers