St Paul's Cathedral with the Lord Mayor's Show on the Thames, 1804

This is an original antique copper engraving, uncolored, lettered "St Paul's Cathedral, with Lord Mayor's Show on the Water." The dome and western towers of St Paul's rise above the crowded wharves and warehouses of the riverfront. On the Thames below, a line of ornate state barges with flags and banners moves along the river, surrounded by small boats full of spectators. Other church spires and towers punctuate the skyline at the right, smoke drifts from chimneys and sailing barges lie at the wharves.

The title is engraved in script below the image. The artist's credit "Pugh delt" is at lower left and the engraver's credit "Norton sculpt." at lower right. Beneath the title is the imprint "Published Augt 11-1804, by Richard Phillips, 71 St Paul's Church Yard."

The plate comes from Modern London; Being the History and Present State of the British Metropolis, printed for Richard Phillips, No. 71, St. Paul's Church-Yard, by C. Mercier and Co., Northumberland-court, Strand, in 1804, and "illustrated with numerous copper plates." Many of its topographical views were drawn by Edward Pugh, a Welsh painter working in London, and engraved on copper by several London engravers, each of whom signed his own plate. At this date the newly elected Lord Mayor traveled by water to Westminster each November in a procession of livery company barges, the pageant shown here.

The river pageant and the great dome together make a strong image for any London collection.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.