A Prospect of London:

The scarce Seller issue of this illusive series of evocative plates of Stuart London.

John Seller (fl. 1664, d. 1697) was hydrographer to Charles II and James II, publisher, surveyor, and compass-maker. The present series of plates were also published by Robert Morden and Philip Lea sometime between 1687 and 1692. A total of 31 plates have been identified by B. Adams (London Illustrated 1604-1851) but the 31st plate, of Clarendon House, only exists in the GLC History library copy (Adams) and this copy is not considered incomplete without it. The plate of the Custom House bears the name of John Dunstall, who could be the drawer of the originals of the etchings. He was aa drawing-master in Blackfriars who was mostly a follower of Hollar, whose work provides the model for eight further plates of the series.

The Seller issue has only appeared once at auction, with the title page in a different state. (Nathan Coll. Sotheby's 5 June 1962, lot 226). There is only one Seller issue in institutions (National Trust Libraries), which has only 13 plates. Not in BL.

Small oblong 8vo (18.5 x 27 cm); etched title and 29 etched and engraved views of London, paper flaw to margin of Thanet House plate, else clean and bright; eighteenth-century limp marbled paper boards, gilt stamped lettering piece to upper board, a little rubbed, a very good copy.