Catalog Archive
Auction 126, Lot 467

"Sir Christopher Wren's Design for re-building the City of London after the Great Fire in 1666: from an original Drawn in the Library of All-Soul's College, Oxford", Wren, Christopher

Subject: England, London

Period: 1800 (dated)

Publication: Improvement of the Port of London

Color: Black & White

Size:
26.5 x 13.5 inches
67.3 x 34.3 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

Following the devastating fire of 1666 numerous proposals were put forth for rebuilding London. Wren was a scientist and astronomer and one of the greatest English architects. His accomplishments include 53 London churches, including St. Paul's Cathedral. He was a founder of the Royal Society and served as its president 1680-82. The plan shows the portion of London along the Thames from Customs House to Strand Bridge and inland to beyond Clarken Well and Moore Fields. The area of burn is shown within a yellow line, otherwise uncolored. In the burned area are Wren's plans for St. Paul's, Customs House, Royal Exchange, the Guild Hall and more. On a large sheet (38" x 26") with blank verso. This is a reprint executed in 1800 from the original in the library of the All-Soul's College at Oxford University. Published by Wm. Delamotte and engraved by J. Barlow.

References:

Condition: A

Very nice example with huge (7") margins, fine impression. Two short marginal tears.

Estimate: $300 - $400

Sold for: $100

Closed on 12/3/2008

Archived