ST. GEORGES STREET. Letterhead

Steel engraving. The engraved surface is 150 x100mm on the top half of a page which measures 220 x180mm,expertly restored, a very good copy.

Bradlow (Frank) Thomas Bowler His life and work page 28 and LP 7: This is one of 2 views printed on the top halves of double sheets of quarto writing paper as the letterhead, published by J.Harwood of 26 Fenchurch Street London. The other being Table Bay.

According to an advertisement of A.S. Robertson in Sam Sly's African Journal of 18 July 1844 a few proof impressions were available. An article in the same journal suggests that the lithographers did not do justice to Bowler's faithful and spirited drawings, but nevertheless the prints were the best representations of the subjects that have ever been printed.

These notepapers were used by the more affluent members of the population because postage was reckoned by weight of paper and distance sent. The printing would have been relatively small which accounts for their excessive rarity. There are probably not more than 2 perfect copies of LP 7 in existence.

There is a letter loosely inserted in the pocket behind the document which explains how the current owner came to possess this letterhead.