Circa 1843. G. W's Transparencies, Thames Tunnel. Published for G.W. by Reeves and Sons, Cheapside, W. Morgan, 49, Judd Street, New Road; T. Fisher, 1, Hanway Street, Oxgord Street; and J. Reynolds, 174, Strand.
252 x 202mm. Original black label printed in gold laid down on mount below lithograph. Hand coloured tinted lithograph. Holes cut out with original tissue backing that show the glow of the gas lamps the length of the tunnel when a light source is applied from behind. In mylar sleeve for protection.
Transformational optical print of the world's first underwater tunnel by Sir Marc Brunel. Brunel invented a shield to dig the tunnel and his prototype has become the norm for every tunnel-digging machine today. Work on the tunnel started in 1824 and completed after a period of suspension in 1843. By March 5th, 1844, over two million people had bought their penny tickets to walk through the tunnel (almost the same number as the entire population of London at that time). Originally intended for pedestrians and horse-drawn traffic, the tunnel is now a part of the London Underground system- it has never undergone major repairs, never leaked and been in use for nearly two hundred years.
Chrimes, Elton, May & Millett, Triumphant Bore, 1993. Variant publisher's label, number 135.
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