Visscher’s prospect of London in 1616

An early Victorian facsimile of the incredibly rare prospect of London published in 1616 by Visscher. It shows the north bank of the Thames from Whitehall to St Katherine's Church near the Tower of London, marking the important buildings, such as the Norman-built St Paul's Cathedral and the Stilliard (headquarters of the German Hanseatic League merchants). On the south side, the important buildings of Southwark include Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, the Swan and the Bear Garden (which was a bear-baiting ring) and the Church of St Mary Overie, now Southwark Cathedral. Joining the two is London Bridge, covered in buildings and with a gatehouse displaying the heads of traitors on poles. Visscher (1587-1652) is believed not to have ever visited London, but to have based the prospect on that of the so-called 'Agas' map view, updated with information from John Norden (1548-1625). Although not original it is an advance stylistically and a great influence on Hollar's prospect of 1647. A feature of this version of the prospect is the mis-engraving of 'Iudovicus Hondius' as ''tndo vicne Bondius' in the top right cartouche.