Oblong folio (431 x 545mm). Modern quarter tan morocco over grey cloth boards, tan morocco gilt lettering-piece on upper board. Gilt to [flat] spine. A little scuffing, but in excellent condition. Prints are mounted. A rare complete set of aquatint prints, finely hand coloured, focussing on the turnpike roads leading in and out of central London. By charging a toll, the turnpikes reinvested the money into the upkeep of the roads, and improved travel and trade across the country. However, they also caused traffic jams and attracted some of the city's more marginal and unsavoury inhabitants, providing rich subject matter for these prints. The sheer variety of transport - horse riders, coaches, delivery carts, street traders and even an army train - creates an interesting and vivid snapshot of the time. Coloured plates in order: 1. View's of London No. 1 Entrance of Piccadilly or Hyde park Corner Turnpike, with a view of St. George's Hospital. 2. View's of London No 2 Entrance of St. George's Road or the Obelisk Turnpike with a view of the Royal Circus. 3. View's of London No. 3 Entrance of Tottenham Court Road Turnpike, with a view of St. James's Chapel. 4. View's of London No. 4 Entrance of Oxford Street or Tyburn Turnpike with a view of Park Lane. 5. View's of London No. 5 Entrance from Mile End or White Chaple Turnpike. 6. View's of London No. 6 Entrance from Hackney or Cambridge Heath Turnpike with a distant view of St. Pauls.