Two Books on the history of the Ordnance Survey - available as PDF downloads

Hi Paul,

Glad you found them of interest.

I too have Rachel Hewitt’s “Map Of A Nation: A Biography of the Ordnance Survey” book.

And I also have the “Ordnance Survey, Map Makers to Britain since 1791” mentioned above in book form.
It was that book which eventually solved a query of mine on WalkLakes a couple of years ago, (about the meaning of “PA”, with reference to Ordnance Survey “PA bolt type” bench marks).

Given your interest in the subject, you might also find these two books worth a look.
Both now long out of copyright, and both available as PDF downloads from the “Internet Archive” website: -
(NB: Clicking on either of the two links below will immediately start the download of that PDF file).

The Ordnance Survey of the United Kingdom - White, T. Pilkington, Lieut.-Colonel, 1837. https://archive.org/download/ordnancesurveyof00whitiala/ordnancesurveyof00whitiala.pdf

and: -

The Ordnance Survey of the Kingdom - Its Objects, Mode of Execution, History, and Present Condition - Henry Spencer Palmer, 1873. https://archive.org/download/ordnancesurveyk00palmgoog/ordnancesurveyk00palmgoog.pdf

Unfortunately, the PDF file for that second book, finishes abruptly, mid-sentence at the bottom of page 75.
I've been unable to track down a source which shows the remainder of the book from page 76 onwards. (However many pages that might be!). Nevertheless, what pages are available give an interesting account, and are well worth a read.

Apparently, this next book has also previously been made available from the Ordnance Survey as a PDF download: -
Ordnance Survey (1967). The history of the retriangulation of Great Britain 1935-1962 (PDF). London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office: - http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/docs/ebooks/history-retriangulation-great-britain-1935-1962.pdf

But following that link now just leads to a 404 page not found error.

Apparently that book (which I understand was originally a two volume set), commands very high prices whenever printed copies become available. (I’ve been unable to track down any online source to date).

EDIT: - After many previous attempts to track down the PDF above - I just found it!
Here: - https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/documents/resources/history-retriangulation-great-britain-1935-1962.pdf

ANOTHER EDIT: - I've just discovered that the diagrams associated with the retriangulation book are downloadable as a zip file from this link.
NB: When I clicked on the link, a blank page opened, and several seconds went by, at which point the zip-file download began, and the zipped file was downloaded into the "Downloads" folder on my Windows 10 computer. It was then an easy matter to open the files, (20 TIFF images), and relocate them to my folder of choice.
(For some unknown reason, diagram 4 is missing from the download)
http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/documents/resources/history-retriangulation-great-britain-1935-1962-diagrams.zip

YET ANOTHER EDIT: - I don't know what the problem is, but when I just tried clicking on the link I've provided above, it doesn't seem to do anything?
The only way I can get it to work (from this post) is to copy that link address, paste it to the top URL address bar of a new tab, and then click enter. The zip file is then correctly downloaded as described above. (I hope it works for you).

Enjoy!!!!!

Regards,
Mike.

By SheepFarmer on 05/01/22 at 1:51pm

Mike,

The Ordnance Survey of the Kingdom; its objects, mode of execution, history and present condition. By Captain H.S. Palmer, R.E., ... Reprinted ... from "Ocean Highways.". as stated on the British Libary website is 77 pages so not that much if anything actuallly missing.

The last link works for me it just takes 15 secs to respond.

But a general commment that you probably know is that The British Libary has been a legal deposit one since 1662 so should have a copy of all published material & the other national libaries can request a copy so have large archives.

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By Lancashire Lad on 08/01/22 at 12:06pm

Hi,

Thanks for that. - I'll keep looking online to see if I can find what's on pages 76-77.
I suppose if all else fails, I might be able to order a copy on loan via my local library.

Strange that the link is behaving in that way. - But at least it does work (eventually!) for those who want to use it.

Regards,
Mike.

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By Lancashire Lad on 10/02/25 at 4:39pm (last edited 10/02/25 at 4:44pm)

Finally managed to find a clear and fully legible downloadable PDF file of the entire book

The pages missing were indeed pages 76 and 77, but both are included in this PDF.

Can be viewed online at this web-page: -
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=zjkDAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

The actual PDF can be downloaded by clicking on the "cogwheel" icon at top right hand corner of that page, and then clicking on "Download PDF" from the options menu which opens up.

A "captcha" (are you a human) type check-word then has to be successfully entered, after which the PDF downloads.

Regards,
Mike

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