Verenigd Koninkrijk - 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, c. 1569, by Frans Hogenberg, both measuring c. 54,5 x 40,5 cm. (21,4 x 15,94 inch):

(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 on 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 inch on fold, small tear of 1,5 cm/ 0,59 inch at left side, stains

See pictures!

**** Both maps 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 have richly decorated cartouches upper left and right, showing many grasshoppers (symbolizing Gresham's Coat of Arms) on decorations and columns. Also with all the cardinal points at edges, clearly visible in French-Dutch, Latin-English. In the forefront of the latter map we see various stock traders making 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.

(total 2)