Esso Plan of Roads to the South Coast 1931 - Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire - Old Vintage Car Map - Pratts, Standard Oil

This rather fascinating pictorial map of Southeast England was created by A.E. Taylor and published in 1931 by Esso - which was known as Standard Oil in the US and only a few months previous as Pratts Oil in the UK.

Taylor was commissioned to create a series of maps of the United Kingdom and Ireland to encourage people to drive around the country in their new-fangled motor carriages (aka cars) - which, of course, would consume Esso oil!

Almost all of the towns and villages of Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire are visible on this map - and in many cases, accompanied by a beautiful little illustration of the town's high street or other notable landmark.

Take a look at the detailed images and try to spot your town! Feel free to message me if you want to confirm if a certain town or village is on this map.

This map looks great at all sizes from 12x16 inches (30x40cm), to 16x20 inches (40x50cm) and 18x24 inches (45x60cm). But it looks even better when printed large. I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 80 inches (200cm) wide. Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

This would make a wonderful birthday, work leaving, housewarming, Christmas or Father's Day gift for someone from the southeast or who is a bit of a petrolhead or car history buff.

You can order the map itself, or you can order a framed version. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that really makes our maps pop out when on a wall. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame. We use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) in our frames - it's less reflective than glass and better for transport.