Oxford Market, ca.1880

From: Henry Dixon & Son

RA Collection: Art

"Oxford Market was built about 1724, but not opened till 1732 (Allen's London, iii., 25). In Strype's Stow (1754) it is said to be "not much resorted to at present, " a condition in which it seems to have remained till its demolition in 1880.

Nevertheless, in the course of its existence it furnished a steak which alone should long preserve its memory - that on which Burke was regaled by Barry, living then in 36, Castle Street, from the corner of which street our photograph is taken. " 'Sir, said Barry, you know I live alone, but if you will come with me to eat a steak, I shall have it tender and hot from the most classic market in London - that of Oxford.' The day and the hour came, and Burke, arriving at No. 36, Castle Street, found Barry ready to receive him. The fire was burning brightly, the steaks were put on the broil, and Barry, having spread a clean cloth on the table, put a pair of tongs into the hands of Burke, saying, 'Be useful, my dear friend, and look to the steaks till I fetch the porter.' Burke did as he was desired; the painter soon returned with the porter in his hand, exclaiming what, 'What a misfortune! the wind carried away the fine foaming top as I crossed Titchfield Street.' They sat down together; the steak was tender and done to a moment, the artist was full of anecdote, and Burke often declared that he had never spent a happier evening in his life." (Allan Cunningham, Lives of British Artists, quoted in Peter Cunningham's Handbook of London.

Dr Johnson at one time lived at No. 6 in this same street, then on the verge of London towards the north."

The above description, by Alfred Marks, was taken from the letterpress which accompanies the photographs. Although open markets were once considered indispensable to the poor and to traders who could not afford large rents, by the latter part of the nineteenth century a notable number had closed including Clare Market, Newport Market, Grosvenor Market and Oxford Market. Most disappeared through the pressure of re-development though this had been noted as early as 1869 by a Guildhall committee. Oxford Market, situated to the north of Oxford Street, on the west side of Great Titchfield Street (the photograph shows the Market House from the corner of Castle Street), was, according to Marks, demolished shortly after the photograph was taken. A block of flats was built on the site.