Tim Bryars

Antiquarian map & bookseller in Cecil Court, WC2. Half of Bryars & Bryars; co-organiser London Map Fair; co-author 'A History of the 20th Century in 100 Maps'.

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

I'll be bringing these 1917 trench maps made by RFC 'Balloonatics' to this year's London Map Fair on 6-7 June. One shows the Loos Salient, the other was used in the intensive preparations for the Battle of Vimy (for trench maps and even 3D models)

https://t.co/ir0PVzS9aA

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

Plan of the Downing Street Public Offices Extension Act 1855, authorising the purchase of adjacent property to consolidate government offices. Bringing it to this weekend's London Map Fair. https://t.co/rJQafiR5Fk

[The Little Globe Co @LoraineRutt]

Looking forward to #londonmapfair this weekend. You'll find this Everest Travel Globe next to The Royal Geographical Society's giant Johnstone globe in The Map Room.
It's free to visit do come say hi!
Sat 6th 12-7
Sun 7th 10-6
The Royal Geographical Society SW7 2AR

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

For the 2026 London Map Fair this weekend: maps satirising the Irish Home Rule Bill by 'Tom Merry', cartoonist and music hall performer William Mecham (not a Gladstone fan). NB, he credits his fellow artist/performer Lillie Tennant as designer of England as George and the Dragon.

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

Packing for the 2026 London Map Fair, June 6-7 @RGS_IBG. This is a 1949 Map of English Literature by Rita Baer, published by School House Books in La Jolla, California. Festooned with quotes!

[St Olave Hart Street @StOlaveHartSt]

Please join us on Tuesday 14th July at 5.30pm for our final Choral Evensong before the summer break. Pepys' own prayer book, illustrated by the 'writing master' Edward Cocker, will be on display. Refreshments follow! https://t.co/fIefKn5iOq @prayerbook_soc @thecityofldn

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

A pause for reflection on Oak Apple Day.

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

Such a joy to spend an evening with (self described) 'controversial' oud player @JosephTawadros. Special plaudits for riffing on the Council of Nicea, St Anthony and early Egyptian monasticism in his set @officialronnies. Impressive!

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

@DrMatthewSweet @Will_Tanner_1 And of course Drax and Scaramanga were old Etonians, and Fleming was at prep school with Blofeld...

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

Sketching the front line from highly visible, highly flammable, tethered kite balloons, nicknamed sausages, was more dangerous than being a fighter pilot (at least balloonatics were given parachutes, but deploying them wasn't a given). But the information they obtained was vital.

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

I'll be bringing these 1917 trench maps made by RFC 'Balloonatics' to this year's London Map Fair on 6-7 June. One shows the Loos Salient, the other was used in the intensive preparations for the Battle of Vimy (for trench maps and even 3D models)

https://t.co/ir0PVzS9aA

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

First World War trench maps and a 16th century cordiform world map are among the highlights at the next London Map Fair, 6-7 June @RGS_IBG (Paywall I think, sorry, but lovely article by @LauraHChesters in @ATG_Editorial) https://t.co/Ct5PqsgoWb

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

The London Map Fair is around the corner. We'll be @RGS_IBG over the weekend of 6-7 June, with about 35 specialist map dealers in antique maps. Come and see us! https://t.co/2uiLSnBP41

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

@Ajprescott I particularly like 'his family is seded at Debden'. Debden Hall was bought by Richard the younger, the son who erected the memorial, in 1715, four years after his dad died. They were definitely on the up.

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

If I'm asking 'is this too niche?' it probably is, but I enjoy visiting memorials to booksellers and printers whose books I sell. On Sunday, a detour via St Botolph's in Postman's Park to tip my hat to Richard Chiswell. There was serious money to he had from John Speed's atlas.

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

@TheArcLampMan I appreciate that, thanks!

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

One Boxing Day I took Pinda to see the bare corner of Woolwich Cemetery where mapmaker John Tallis lies in an unmarked pauper's grave. Right next to where all the Victorian kids are buried. In retrospect, that was a bit desolate.

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

His father in law, Thomas Roycroft, King's Printer in Oriental Languages under Charles II, is commemorated in neighbouring St Bartholomew the Great. I think the 6 folio volumes lying horizontally beneath represent his great Polyglott Bible.

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

@barrywa39 @Knowledgepoint NB, the photo predates 2021 and shows the wonderful early steepsided Windsor gas lamp prior to its removal. Hope that helps!

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

@barrywa39 @Knowledgepoint That's correct Barry, in 2021 the gas lamp on a Grade II* listed building was removed without Historic England's permission, and replaced with a modern LED light. The Victorian Society lodged a formal complaint and the council agreed to reinstate it, but it hasn't happened yet!

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

@Ameer_Kotecha Thank you, too! One of the great things about our Gasketeers campaign was discovering how much the gas lamps mean to so many of us. Seeing damaged ones restored and put back (rather than quietly abandonedin storage) feels like another leap forward.

[Tim Bryars @TimBryars]

Westminster gas lamps update: I was really pleased to see the British Gas Lamplighters completing the reinstallation of two listed working gas street lamps, one on Smith Square and one in Russell St, Covent Garden. Both hit by lorries but now restored and shining brightly again.