B/W print; The Custom House, c1890 by Valentine's, circa 1890
Main details
| Reference number | 1998/64797 |
|---|---|
| Description | The Custom House, c1890. Dock scene, with the Custom House building in the background of the photograph and boats in front of it in the foreground. |
| Photographer | |
| Dates | circa 1890 |
| Collection | |
| Object type |
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| Photograph number | 1593C |
| Location | |
| Topics | |
| Completeness | 72% |
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Physical description
Item content Attribute Value Annotation THE CUSTOM HOUSE, CIRCA 1890.
This is the third Custom House erected since the Great Fire. Wren's was burnt down in 1715, and its successor, by Thomas Ripley, met a similar fate in 1814. These buildings occupied the site of the mediaeval Custom House, which was a little below the present structure.
On the destruction of Ripley's building a new Custom House was erected by David Laing, a pupil of Sir John Soane who had been appointed Surveyor of Buildings at the Custom House. Owing to the decay of the beech piling that had been used, the front of Laing's structure collapsed in 1825, and new foundations having been put in, a reconstruction was carried out by Sir Robert Smirke, who rearranged the interior and built the river front shown in the photograph.
Photograph (supplied Feb., 1923) by Valentine's.Design Attribute Value Shot Wide exterior -
People involved
Role Person(s) involved Photographer Valentine's, circa 1890 -
Associated companies, people and places
Places Location Custom House, Lower Thames Street, City of London, EC3People Attribute Value People Charles White -