No.73, Cheapside, ca.1883

From: Henry Dixon & Son

RA Collection: Art

"This house is still known as "The Old Mansion House", a title which has already been explained under No.20 of these photographs (102 Leadenhall St., 07/1492.). The design of this house is ascribed to Sir Christopher Wren, by an engraving - I have found no other authority - giving an architectural "elevation of the front of No. 73, Cheapside, the residence of Mr Tegg, Bookseller, formerly the Mansion House of London, erected by Sir C. Wren, A.D. 1668-9." Since the date at which this engraving was made (about 1825), the middle window of the second floor has been cut down; there are minor alterations in the upper part, and the shop front has been altered."

The above description, by Alfred Marks, was taken from the letterpress which accompanies the photographs. In his description for photograph number 20, he explains that prior to the completion of the present Mansion House (in 1753), the chief magistrate of the City did not have an official residence, but kept office at his own home or elsewhere. The house in the photograph was the residence of Sir William Turner, Mayor of London 1668-9. Although the house and its fine staircase was to survive for a number of years after Dixon's photograph was taken, it was eventually demolished in 1929. A further photograph dating from 1929 is in the collection of the National Monuments Record.