Comments on: John Thomas Smith’s Antient Topography

By: Diane Keane

Diane Keane — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 17:34:40 +0000

These are amazing! The three final images put me in mind of Piranesi, one of my favorite artists

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 15:12:03 +0000

What fascinating images these are!

My gt-gt-grandfather was born in America Square, just off the Minories, in 1796 and it’s wonderful to think that he probably looked upon most of these buildings when he was growing up.

By: Hetty Startup

Hetty Startup — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 14:03:26 +0000

These images are so fascinating for what they record about some still existing and some lost London buildings. One image of a house (still extant?) on the south side of London Wall from March 1808 shows abundant bas-reliefs. I wonder who made them? As usual, gentle author, you lay an appetizing table before us….thank you.

By: Helen Breen

Helen Breen — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 10:43:52 +0000

Greetings from Boston,

GA, what a great selection. I had to keep studying that first print “Bethelem Hospital with London Wall in Foreground” – loved the interplay of sun and shadow on that brick wall. What patience and attention to detail.

Also “Houses on the Corner of Chancery Lane & Fleet St” remind me of the backdrop for scenes from Dickens on Victorian Christmas cards. And all Smith’s people are rendered in a postive light – basically happy going about their daily lives. All good stuff…

By: Leana Pooley

Leana Pooley — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 10:29:08 +0000

I could weep. The craft, the skill, the wonderful carvings, the charming wonkiness of age, the glorious ankle-breaking cobbles. And now our featureless drab streets.

By: Roger C

Roger C — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 07:53:36 +0000

I love these drawings, the ‘photos’ of the day.

Another great post from the GA 🙂

By: John Barrett

John Barrett — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 06:52:04 +0000

Lovely hand crafted set of pics basic art work probably done on site, to get the scale right every one tells us a story of that time. Just breathtaking quality every one worth a fortune !you know what I mean. I liked the detail, bed sheets & a cross hanging out of hospital windows. Poet John

By: Helen

Helen — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 05:33:53 +0000

What lovely buildings and architecture. A shame none have been preserved. Prince Charles used an excellent word – carbuncles – it most definitely applies to some of the nondescript rubbish we have to look at today.

By: Jim McDermott

Jim McDermott — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 00:52:47 +0000

The skill and intricacy make one trust Smith absolutely, as if we were seeing photographs of a lost, beautiful world.

By: Brigitte

Brigitte — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 00:13:27 +0000

Wow, these are little gems. Thank you.