Glove map of London
George Shove, British
1851
Printed map on leather

The international expositions staged in Europe and America over the past two centuries attracted exhibits and tourists from around the world. To help organize the sprawling grounds, cartographers issued specialized maps that rivaled the inventiveness and visual allure of the displays themselves. On this ladies' glove, George Shove fit a map of London and the Great Exhibition. The Exhibition's distinctive Crystal Palace is near the base of the palm. The relative positions of other London destinations are also drawn in: St. Paul's Cathedral across two fingers and Kensington Gardens near the wrist.



why have I not thought of this before?
I get lost all the time, it's one of my special talents.
why have I not yet printed a map of the city onto the palm of my gloves?

so handy!
[pun intended]


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