[FROST FAIR.]
Frost Fair on the River Thames. As it appeared in the hard Frost Feby. 4 1814 between London and Blackfriars Bridges when the river was one sheet of ice and snow and on which several trades and pastimes were carried on, the above view was taken on the spot at Bankside Feby. 4. G. Thompson, London.
1814. Woodcut print in fine contemporary hand-colour. Dimensions: 434 by 515mm. (17 by 20.25 inches).
The view is of the frost fair on the River Thames in 1814. Various trades can be seen, such as; The Whiskey Shop, Thames Printing Office and a Gin and Rum tent. Also depicted are pastimes of the day such as; swinging, playing at skittles, dancing and fiddling, etc. the city of London can be seen in the background. It was an exceptional winter that caused the Thames to freeze solidly enough for people to walk across - rather than pay a boatman or the toll on the bridge - but the holding of fairs on such occasions had a long history. There were fairs in 1564, 1608, 1634, 1715, 1739, and 1789. The fair of 1814 was the last Frost Fair; London Bridge was rebuilt upstream in 1823 and the old one demolished in 1831. The new arches re-directed the flow of the river so that it was too swift to freeze. The main road was named the City Road and went straight down the middle of the Thames rather than across. It was lined on both sides with about thirty stalls, decorated with streamers, flags and "signs", set up for the sale of porter, spirits, and other drinks (unlicensed!) as well as for skittles, dancing, and a variety of games. Eight or ten printing-presses were erected; the typographers setting up their type for the printing of cards and broadsides to commemorate the great frost. One of the presses hoisted an orange-coloured flag, with Orange Boven written on it in large letters. This referred to the restoration of the Stadtholder to the Government of Holland, it having been for several years subject to France. A scarce and decorative print commemorating this most unusual event. cf. Collage 28021.
Price: £ 1800
Ref: 62286
Frost Fair on the River Thames. As it appeared in the hard Frost Feby. 4 1814 between London and Blackfriars Bridges when the river was one sheet of ice and snow and on which several trades and pastimes were carried on, the above view was taken on the spot at Bankside Feby. 4. G. Thompson, London.
1814. Woodcut print in fine contemporary hand-colour. Dimensions: 434 by 515mm. (17 by 20.25 inches).
The view is of the frost fair on the River Thames in 1814. Various trades can be seen, such as; The Whiskey Shop, Thames Printing Office and a Gin and Rum tent. Also depicted are pastimes of the day such as; swinging, playing at skittles, dancing and fiddling, etc. the city of London can be seen in the background. It was an exceptional winter that caused the Thames to freeze solidly enough for people to walk across - rather than pay a boatman or the toll on the bridge - but the holding of fairs on such occasions had a long history. There were fairs in 1564, 1608, 1634, 1715, 1739, and 1789. The fair of 1814 was the last Frost Fair; London Bridge was rebuilt upstream in 1823 and the old one demolished in 1831. The new arches re-directed the flow of the river so that it was too swift to freeze. The main road was named the City Road and went straight down the middle of the Thames rather than across. It was lined on both sides with about thirty stalls, decorated with streamers, flags and "signs", set up for the sale of porter, spirits, and other drinks (unlicensed!) as well as for skittles, dancing, and a variety of games. Eight or ten printing-presses were erected; the typographers setting up their type for the printing of cards and broadsides to commemorate the great frost. One of the presses hoisted an orange-coloured flag, with Orange Boven written on it in large letters. This referred to the restoration of the Stadtholder to the Government of Holland, it having been for several years subject to France. A scarce and decorative print commemorating this most unusual event. cf. Collage 28021.
Price: £ 1800
Ref: 62286
