Lot Essay
Originally built in 1682 on the site of the garden of the home of Sir Edward Hungerford which had burned down in 1669, the much grander two-storey building was erected by Charles Fowler in 1833. A bazaar and also an art gallery were added to the complex in 1851 although these too were destroyed by fire in 1854. Intended to rival Covent Garden, the market was never a great success and in 1860 it was demolished to make way for Charing Cross Railway Station.
This intriguing view of a relatively little-known landmark of old London may be dated approximately from its depiction of the small paddle steamer Diana heading upstream. Built by Brent at Rotherhithe in 1817 or 1820 (accounts vary), she was powered by Boulton & Watt engines and was intended to run in tandem with another paddler, the London. Operating a Thames service down to Southend and Sheerness, Diana was reportedly still in service as late as 1835.
This intriguing view of a relatively little-known landmark of old London may be dated approximately from its depiction of the small paddle steamer Diana heading upstream. Built by Brent at Rotherhithe in 1817 or 1820 (accounts vary), she was powered by Boulton & Watt engines and was intended to run in tandem with another paddler, the London. Operating a Thames service down to Southend and Sheerness, Diana was reportedly still in service as late as 1835.