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This map provides an accurate and detailed depiction of Manchester and Salford during an important period in the cities' industrial expansion.

The map highlights the intricate layout of streets, canals, railroads, and buildings, showcasing the dense urban fabric that had developed by the mid-19th century. It illustrates the growing infrastructure of both cities, with the River Irwell dividing the two but emphasizing their interconnectedness through industry, commerce, and transportation. 

Manchester's urban landscape transformed dramatically between 1800 and 1850, reflecting broader shifts in industrialization, urbanization, and social change. At the beginning of the 19th century, Manchester was already a burgeoning center of the cotton and textile industries, which had begun in the late 18th century. The advent of mechanized production methods, especially the spinning jenny and power looms, enabled Manchester to become the world's foremost industrial city, earning the nickname "Cottonopolis."

Between 1800 and 1850, Manchester’s population skyrocketed from around 75,000 to over 300,000, driven by the influx of workers seeking employment in the textile mills and related industries. As the city’s industries expanded, so too did its infrastructure. Canals such as the Bridgewater Canal and the Manchester Ship Canal were crucial in connecting the city to the major port of Liverpool, facilitating the easy transportation of raw cotton from America and India, as well as the export of finished textiles.

The period also saw the rise of railroads. The opening of the Manchester to Liverpool Railway in 1830, the world’s first fully operational passenger and freight railway, revolutionized transport, reducing costs and speeding up the movement of goods and people. This railway, as well as others, is featured prominently on the 1844 map, showcasing Manchester’s importance as a transportation hub.

The rapid industrialization led to extensive urban sprawl. The map illustrates the dense grid-like patterns of streets in the city center, contrasted with the more open spaces in the surrounding vicinities. Areas such as Hulme and Chorlton, shown on the map, began to develop as residential suburbs for both the working class and the growing middle class.  

Rarity

The plan is apparently quite rare.  

We located only the example at the University of Manchester.