Maps of Epping Forest, one of the few ancient woodlands in the Southeast of Britain, are rather rare. The Epping Forest Act of 1878 was passed saving the forest from enclosure, and when Queen Victoria visited Chingford on 6 May 1882 she declared: “It gives me the greatest satisfaction to dedicate this beautiful forest to the use and enjoyment of my people for all time” and it thus became “The People’s Forest”.

Provenance: From the Commons & Footpath Preservation Society, who had campaigned successfully to stop the enclosure of Epping Forest, with their oval stamp on the verso. Pencil note in upper right-hand segment reading: “This plan is a reduction of the one signed by the arbitrator in 1882. The only additions since are Oak Hill Enclosure and Part of Higham Park containing 30 acres.”