The folded maps in this collection comprise small maps or those not suited to be stored flat and includes mini-atlases, a map printed for use as a fan, and maps that started life rolled but were folded up by an owner, as well as maps which were published folded.

The first maps that were issued as folded maps started to appear in the 1720s as something you could conveniently carry around in your pocket. The sheets were normally dissected for folding and cloth mounted to make them more robust. These early folding maps were part of a general growth in printed resources for visitors to London. Often they would carry useful information like lists of fares for getting across the Thames, or the cost of coach journeys.

Extra small ones were promoted as “waistcoat pocket maps” while others had guidebook type information about post offices, routes out of London. As time went on there would sometimes be pictures of tourist attractions around the edges, and sometimes adverts. There were folding maps with bus, tram and train information.