Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 18038 - Autographs, Historical Documents, Ephemera and Postal History
Lot: 3074

Autographs
Waterloo Bridge
1877 re-opening of the bridge after being acquired by the Metropolitan Board of Works, an annotated pen and wash drawing showing the Lord Mayor's carriage (the last in the procession), the two toll booths and the crowd being held back, waiting to be allowed to cross the bridge. Posted to an address in the Strand bears 1869-78 1d. tied by London SW13 obliterator and a good strike of the rare, circular "posted in pillar - letter box/detained" (Alcock & Holland fig. 1796), this instructional mark being reserved for newspapers posted in pillar boxes. The sheet has been folded for posting and there are a couple of paper splits. Unusual and interesting

The Lord Mayor's coach is named as "Lawrence", after Sir James Lawrence who was Lord Mayor in 1868. He may have been at the opening of Blackfriars Bridge, but the toll booths suggest Waterloo Bridge

The first Waterloo Bridge was opened in 1817 but was a financial disaster
The builders of the first Waterloo Bridge aimed to recoup their outgoings by charging a toll to use the bridge. Anyone who needed to cross the river used the Blackfriars or Westminster Bridges either side of the new toll bridge instead; both being free. Waterloo Bridge became toll free in 1877

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£220