Hyde Park Corner, London. Large18th century coaching scene.

by Pollard, James

19th century Coaching Scene 'Hyde Park Corner’ from one of four aquatints engraved by J. Harris after James Pollard, published in 1838 by Ackermann & Co.

The fancy private coach in the foreground is not being handled by the usual private liveried coachman or ‘wap-john’. The immaculate and skilful young driver is obviously its owner, with a smart pair of young grooms in shiny boots at the back, fashionable young women inside, and fine-bred smart leaders, and four horses of equal stride – but unmatched colour. Derby Day races at Epsom are 12 miles from Hyde Park Corner.

In the 1830's Hyde Park Corner was the western entry to London, and distances to the west were measured from it. (Still standing in Kensington Gore is a milestone carrying the words “London one mile”.) In the background can be seen architect Decimus Burton’s archways and columns of the main gate of Hyde Park, with the massive Corinthian Arch looming over it all in 1838 – before the arch was moved to Constitution hill in 1883. At far left is a solitary omnibus coach, the predecessor of the red double-decker buses. The beginning of fashionable Belgravia (previously an undrained swamp) was around the corner, and just outside the picture to the left was ‘Rotten Row’ the Route du Roi reserved for royalty and, once a year, the Duke of St Albans, the Hereditary Grand Falconer of England.

Vintage coaching print with slight age-discolouration/foxing. Image: 295 x 455mm (11 5/8 x 17 7/8 inches). Page: 380 x 510mm (13 1/2 x 20 inches).