£6.00
This is a beautiful 12x8 inch (305x203 mm) photographic print of the original St Paul's Cathedral being destroyed in the Great Fire of London, 1666. From an engraving by Wenceslas Hollar.
Wenceslas Hollar (1607-1677) was a Bohemian etcher. He was born in Prague, and died in London, being buried at St Margaret's Church, Westminster. During his first year in England he created "View of Greenwich," for Stent, the print-seller. Nearly 3 feet (0.9 m) long, he received thirty shillings for the plate. After the Great Fire of London he produced some of his famous "Views of London". He continued to produce well-regarded works until his death. He died in extreme poverty, his last recorded words being a request to the bailiffs that they would not carry away the bed on which he was dying.