London--Kip, J.

Estimate

3,000 - 4,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

Prospect of the City of London Westminster & St. James's Park. London: London Topographical Society, 1903, large hand-coloured wall-map on 12 sheets joined, totalling 1405 x 2080mm., minor restoration to marginal tears

Literature

Hyde, Gilded Scenes and Shining Prospects, 27, Kip's original, a late impression lacking the sky (with dedication) and running title

Catalogue Note

Johannes Kip, a Dutch émigré, was the finest topographical engraver of the first quarter of the eighteenth century in London; in 1715, he announced his intention to publish a great prospect of London, actually published in 1720. "Kip's dramatic view of the English capital represents the largest prospect of any British town ever produced... [and] provides us with topographical detail rarely, if ever recorded elsewhere" (Hyde) thanks to its unusual perspective, taken from an imaginary viewpoint looking across St. James Park over Westminster towards the City of London.

Because of its size, Kip's original (particularly the full version with running title and dedication to the Princess of Wales, as reproduced here) is now of some rarity.