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A.& J. Bool, 102, Leadenhall Street

102, Leadenhall Street, ca.1878

From: A.& J. Bool

RA Collection: Art

"The iron gate and courtyard of a very fine mansion, demolished in 1875 or 1876. The house and its contiguous warehouses and courtyards, occupying a great area, were for many years occupied by a firm of wholesale Druggists, Messrs. Baiss Brothers, who always most courteously allowed strangers to see the house. It was no doubt in its day - the beginning of the eighteenth century - the residence of a great merchant. It was of such mansions as these that Hatton wrote: "Those especially about half a mile in compass round the Royal Exchange, particularly eastward therefrom, are so numerous and magnificent, with Courts, Offices, and all other necessary apartments, inclosed to themselves, and noble gates and frontispieces of some towards the street, but chiefly so ornamental and richly furnished within, that it would require too much room to give names and situations...

They are, for conveniences aforesaid, and because of the great quantity of ground they are built on, generally situate backward, and by that means the City appears not to strangers who walk the streets near so stately and beautiful as it really is, and would show itself, were these ornaments exposed to publick view." ( New View of London, 1708, p.627) The house was traditionally known as an "Old Mansion House," the residence, that is, of a Lord Mayor. Previously to the completion in 1753 of the present Mansion House, the chief magistrate of the City had no official residence, but kept his mayoralty where best he could, at his own house or elsewhere. Thus Stow speaks of "a fair house and a large, wherein divers mayoralties have been kept, whereof twain in my remembrance" (p.46). The fittings and decorations of this house were of a sumptious character. A great room on the first floor was panelled with cedar; the grand staircase was particularly fine, the landing being of parquetry, and the walls handsomely decorated by Thornhill or his assistants. These wall paintings are now in the South Kensington Museum."

The above description, by Alfred Marks, was taken from the letterpress which accompanies the photographs.

Object details

Title
102, Leadenhall Street
Photographed by
Published by
Printed by
Date
ca.1878
Object type
Photograph
Medium
Carbon print mounted on card
Dimensions

226 mm x 180 mm

Collection
Royal Academy of Arts
Object number
07/1492
Acquisition
Purchased from
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