Stunning Panorama of London in 1774

For the first time online here are high quality images of Samuel & Nathaniel Buck's complete sequence of five views of London as published in 1774.

Together the originals form a panorama of mid 18th Century London over 4 metres long. They show, in tremendous detail, the whole of the north bank of the Thames, between Westminster and the Tower.

Buck's Panorama of London, Plate 1, New Westminster Bridge to Treasury Building.

Buck's Panorama of London, Plate 2, Whitehall to Somerset House.

Buck's Panorama of London, Plate 3, Somerset House to Bridewell.

Buck's Panorama of London, Plate 4, Fleet Ditch to St. Michael’s Church - Bassingshaw.

Buck's Panorama of London, Plate 5, Old Street Church to The Tower of London.

These incredibly detailed views were produced by Samuel Buck and his brother Nathaniel.

The Buck's five London views were originally issued on 11 September 1749.

The copper plates were later acquired by the Fleet Street printmaker Robert Sayer and reissued (partly updated) in 1774. This rare set of 1774 prints are currently for sale priced at £12,000.

You might like to compare this panorama with the earlier Visscher Panorama of 1616.

Very many thanks are due to Peter Harrington Rare Books for permitting and enabling me to share both these historic, but photographically unwieldy, panoramas here.

Special thanks to individual staff at Peter Harrington: to Ruth as ever for her brilliant photography and once again to Emilie for first showing me the amazing originals.

Why not drop by the Fulham Road and see the views for yourself at what must be the friendliest Antiquarian bookshop in London.