A extraordinary piece of Bristol's history has emerged from obscurity after being discovered in a London auction house. The remarkable 17th-century map, dating back to approximately 1671, offers an unprecedented glimpse into the city's rich architectural heritage.
The meticulously detailed map reveals several fascinating aspects of historic Bristol that have long since vanished from the urban landscape. Most notably, it provides what experts believe to be the only known contemporary depiction of the buildings that once stood upon Old Bristol Bridge before their demolition in the 1760s.
Historical Significance and Architectural Details
This rare cartographic treasure shows the bridge structures in remarkable detail, capturing a moment in time that predates most existing records of Bristol's infrastructure. The map's survival through centuries makes it an invaluable resource for historians and urban archaeologists studying the evolution of one of Britain's most important maritime cities.
What makes this discovery particularly significant is the map's potential to rewrite certain aspects of Bristol's architectural history. The level of detail suggests it may have served practical purposes for city planners or merchants during a period of significant growth and development.
Provenance and Auction Details
The map resurfaced at Dominic Winter Auctioneers in South Cerney, Gloucestershire, where it attracted considerable attention from collectors and institutions alike. Measuring approximately 13.5 by 16 inches (34 by 40.6 cm), the document represents both Somerset and Gloucestershire, with Bristol prominently featured at their border.
"The discovery of such a well-preserved and detailed map from this period is exceptionally rare," noted a representative from the auction house. "It provides a unique window into 17th-century urban planning and offers new insights into how Bristol's iconic structures appeared before major redevelopment."
This extraordinary find underscores the continuing importance of physical documents in understanding our urban heritage, especially in cities like Bristol where layers of history often lie hidden beneath modern developments.
