London by Samuel and Nathaniel Buck

Code: 53937

Date: 1749/1770

‘This Drawing taken from the West part of the Leads of St Mary Overy’s Church in Southwark and engrav’d by S & N Buck, is published according to Act of Parliamt Septr 11th 1749 No 1. Garden Court, Middle Temple, London. Plate 4 of the five in total of London and Westminster. Copper engraving with later hand colouring. Vertical centrefold as issued.  Overall sheet size: 85.4cms x 38.4cms; 796mm x 304mm.  Remnant of tape in three places on verso from prior framing else very good condition indeed. This panorama shows the old Tower bridge and the Tower of London top right. Key to 40 buildings of interest below the image.  Stunning and arresting piece.

Samuel Buck and his younger brother Nathaniel, were topographical artists and engravers who, from about 1720 to 1753 toured England and Wales recording the architectural antiquities of both countries.
They also produced a series of panoramic views of the "cities, seaports and capital towns" and by doing so, created a valuable record of what English and Welsh towns and cites looked like before the onset of the Industrial Revolution.
In all, the two brothers produced 423 engravings of monasteries, abbeys, castles and other ruins and 87 panoramic prospects of towns and cities which taken altogether, may be regarded as one of the most important documentary projects of the 18th.Century.