The work presented Smirke's ideas for improvements in the west end of London including new Parliamentary buildings in Green Park, law courts in the old buildings, an enormous mausoleum on the Serpentine and new or improved roads in the area. There is a hand-coloured, folded lithographed map of the proposed area for development ('Plan Shewing The Improvements Of Part Of London'); an aquatint of 'The Proposed Situation In The Green Park For New Parliamentary Buildings'; and a mezzotint illustrating 'Proposed Situation On The North Bank Of The Serpentine For A National Edifice To Receive The Monuments Of Illustrious Men'. The printer statement can be found on the verso of the title-page (as well as the verso of p. 117), London: Printed by T. Brettell, Rupert Street, Haymarket.
References
Royal Institute of British Architects, Early printed books, 4, 2001, no. 3070
Provenance
Inscription in pencil on front flyleaf, 'Presented to the Royal Academy by / Sydney Smirke Esqre / Recd in Liby Augt 4 1834. / G J.'
Binding Note
Publisher's cream paper boards, printed in red with decorative woodcut border and centre-piece on each board and the title 'Suggestions For The Architectural Improvement Of London' on the spine.
Subject
City planning England London; Early works to 1840 - Architecture England London Conservation and restoration - England London