United Kingdom - London; Frans Hogenberg - View of the exterior of the Royal Exchange & View of the interior of the Royal Exchange [c. 1569] - 1561-1580

Two views of the First Royal Exchange London, circa 1569, by Frans Hogenberg, both measuring approximately 54.5 x 40.5 cm (21.4 x 15.94 inches).

(a.) View of the exterior of the Royal Exchange, with the Royal Arms, texts in cartouches in French and Dutch.

Condition: Tear on fold (33 cm./13 inch), stained, some paper loss at edges/margins.

(b.) View of the interior of The Royal Exchange, with the Royal Arms, with texts in cartouches in Latin and English.

Condition: Tear of 11 cm / 4.3 inches on fold, small tear of 1.5 cm / 0.59 inches on the left side, stains.

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Both maps are in fair condition, despite their exceptional rarity.

Antique plans of the First Royal Exchange London, founded in 1569 by Sir Thomas Gresham, engraved by Frans Hogenberg shortly after its opening. Both views feature richly decorated cartouches at the upper left and right, displaying numerous grasshoppers (symbolizing Gresham's Coat of Arms) on the decorations and columns. The maps also include all the cardinal points at the edges, clearly visible in French-Dutch, Latin-English. In the foreground of the latter map, we see various stock traders conducting their business agreements.
Frans Hogenberg, who collaborated with Georg Braun to create the 'Civitates Orbis Terrarum', emigrated to London in 1568 with his brother Remegius after the Duke of Alva became regent of the reconquered Spanish holdings in the Low Countries, and stayed there until 1587. Two years before he arrived, work had begun on the Exchange, the first commercial building in England, inspired by Sir Thomas Gresham's experience of the bourse in Antwerp. These maps represent one of the earliest views of the London Exchange building as the city began to develop its commercial power.

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