A birds-eye view of the Royal Exchange building in London. It was England’s first building designed for commerce. It has twice been destroyed by fire. The first was officially opened in 1571 and was burnt in the Great Fire of London in 1666. The second illustrated here, was opened in 1669 and again destroyed by fire in 1838 caused by an overheated stove. Reputedly the fire could be seen from Windsor 24 miles away. This building was noted for its wooden tower standing over the entrance on Cornhill.

This engraving is from John Stow’s ‘A Survey of the Cities of London and Westminster …’, published in 1720. Originally published in 1698, this enlarged and improved John Strype edition of 1720 was the first fully illustrated edition and is considered the best. Although unsigned, it is believed the engraving was the work of Johannes Kip whose name appears on fourteen plates in the work. Adams (1983) 25 no. 26.