Nichols family collection on the Palace of Westminster

Finding aid prepared by Sara Stilley, Preservation Assistant.

Special Collections & University Archives

The UCR Library

P.O. Box 5900

University of California

Riverside, California 92517-5900

Phone: 951-827-3233

Fax: 951-827-4673

Email: specialcollections@ucr.edu

URL: http://library.ucr.edu/libraries/special-collections-university-archives

Descriptive Summary

Title: Nichols family collection on the Palace of Westminster

Date (inclusive): circa 1650-1905, undated

Date (bulk): 1800-1840

Collection Number: MS 203

Extent: 2.56 linear feet (2 boxes)

Repository: Rivera Library. Special Collections Department.

Riverside, CA 92517-5900

Abstract: This collection is comprised of items found within The History of the Ancient Palace and Late Houses of Parliament at Westminster : Embracing Accounts and Illustrations of St. Stephen's Chapel, and its cloisters, - Westminster Hall, - The Court of Requests, - The Painted Chamber , by Edward Wedlake Brayley, and John Britton. Material includes correspondences, documents and illustrated plates from circa 1650 to 1905. The original book that contained these items is also housed within the collection. All of the plates feature views of Westminster from different publications and years. The correspondence includes items addressed to historically significant individuals or persons related to the history of the Westminster or the production of the book. Highlights include correspondences to John Bowyer Nichols, the printer of the book; from Charles Barry, the son of the architect who rebuilt the Parliament and Westminster; to Dr. Reverend Kippis, a noted British Historian and author; from Sir John Cam Hobhouse, British Member of Parliament and friend of the poet Lord Byron.

Languages: The collection is in English and French.

Access

This collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Copyright Unknown: Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction, and/or commercial use, of some materials may be restricted by gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing agreement(s), and/or trademark rights. Distribution or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. To the extent other restrictions apply, permission for distribution or reproduction from the applicable rights holder is also required. Responsibility for obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [date if possible]. Nichols family collection on the Palace of Westminster (MS 203). Special Collections & University Archives, University of California, Riverside.

Acquisition Information

The book, which contained the items in this collection, The History of the Ancient Palace and Late Houses of Parliament at Westminster : Embracing Accounts and Illustrations of St. Stephen's Chapel, and its cloisters, - Westminster Hall, - The Court of Requests, - The Painted Chamber , by Edward Wedlake Brayley, and John Britton was purchased by Henry Snyder in London in the 1960's and was subsequently sold to the University of California, Riverside in 1995.

At some point before Henry Snyder purchased the item it was owned by Robert Washington Oates, a noted collector and antiquarian bookseller. It is unknown how the book came into Oates' possession or how it went up for sale in London but much of the Nichols family library was sold at Sothebys auctions.

Processing History

Processed by Sara Stilley, Preservation Assistant, 2010.

Items were removed from the book, The History of the Ancient Palace and Late Houses of Parliament at Westminster : Embracing Accounts and Illustrations of St. Stephen's Chapel, and its cloisters, - Westminster Hall, - The Court of Requests, - The Painted Chamber , by Edward Wedlake Brayley, and John Britton, with their original location (page numbers) noted. They were then processed by preservation standards and housed in mylar enclosures. A custom clam shell box was made to house the book because of its damaged state. Damage to the book includes: broken leather spine, lost head caps, first two signatures detached from the text block, and extensive swelling of the text block due to the inserted items. Some slight damage also occurred from removing items as they were attached in the book.

All items removed from the book have been digitized.

Biographical Note

John Nichols (1745-1826): John Nichols was apprenticed to printer William Bowyer in 1757 and took over that business in 1777. Among his noteworthy accomplishments was being editor of Gentleman's Magazine and some of the most lengthy and complete antiquarian county histories. Additionally he worked with Abraham Farley in on the 300th anniversary edition of the Domesday Book. Nichols created a special font for the edition, which was unfortunately destroyed in a workshop fire in 1808. Also, he held the office of Master of the Stationer's Company in 1804. Nichols' son, John Bowyer Nichols, and grandson, John Gough Nichols, continued the printing business which is considered today to be one of the best documented printing houses of its time in England.

John Bowyer Nichols (1779-1863): J.B. Nichols was apprenticed to his father and when freed? became a partner in the family business. He continued the family tradition of printing county histories and was the official printer of British parliamentary publications. Along with being a printer, J.B. Nichols was, like his father, editor of the Gentleman's Magazine, a poet and an author of many works on antiquarian subjects. He was Master of the Stationer's Company in 1850.

John Gough Nichols (1806-1873): J.G. Nichols joined the family business in 1824 and was a natural historian and perfect successor to his grandfather's tradition of studying and printing antiquarian histories. He also carried on the editorial leadership of the Gentleman's Magazine until its sale in 1856. He was a founding member of many historical societies such as Camden Society, Surtees Society and Shakespeare Society and publisher of their publications.

John Britton (1771-1857): Co-author of the book in which the items were found. A well- known English author and historian of his time, he created, along with his friend Edward Wedlake Brayley a new form of literature in the of important monuments throughout Britain. He was a frequent contributor to Gentleman's Magazine.

Edward Wedlake Brayley (1733-1854): Co-author of the book in which the items were found. A noted English author, historian and topographer, he wrote several works with John Britton his life long friend.

Historical Note

Palace at Westminster: The Palace at Westminster began as a royal palace in the eleventh century and was the primary residence in London for the Kings of England and for Parliament until a fire in 1512 that destroyed much of the residential area and the King Henry VIII moved the royal family to Whitehall Palace. After, it served only as the meeting space for the Parliament, and various other judicial courts and various other functions. In 1834 much of the medieval building burned in a devastating fire . Sir Charles Barry won the competition to rebuild the site in the popular Perpendicular Gothic style. The replacement was much larger, including over 8 acres of reclaimed land along the Thames River, and incorporated those areas not destroyed in the fire. This reconstruction began in 1840 and lasted for 30 years. Since then there has been considerable restoration of the soft sandstone used to build the structure due to the effects of London's pollution, The House of Commons had to be rebuilt after it was destroyed in a 1941 German bombing of London. Areas of note in the structure are those that survived the 1834 fire: Westminster Hall, the Cloisters of St. Stephen's, the Chapel of St. Mary Undercroft and the Jewel Tower.

Collection Scope and Contents

This collection is comprised of items found within The History of the Ancient Palace and Late Houses of Parliament at Westminster : Embracing Accounts and Illustrations of St. Stephen's Chapel, and its cloisters, - Westminster Hall, - The Court of Requests, - The Painted Chamber , by Edward Wedlake Brayley, and John Britton. Material includes correspondences, documents and illustrated plates from circa 1650 to 1905. The original book that contained these items is also housed within the collection. All of the plates feature views of Westminster from different publications and years. The correspondence includes items addressed to historically significant individuals or persons related to the history of the Westminster or the production of the book. Highlights include correspondences to John Bowyer Nichols, the printer of the book; from Charles Barry, the son of the architect who rebuilt the Parliament and Westminster; to Dr. Reverend Kippis, a noted British Historian and author; from Sir John Cam Hobhouse, British Member of Parliament and friend of the poet Lord Byron.

Collection Arrangement

This collection is arranged into three series as follows:

Series 1. Correspondence and other material, 1650-1905, undated
Series 2. Plates (illustrations), 1747-1875, undated
Series 3. Publications, 1836

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

Brayley, E. W. (Edward Wedlake), 1773-1854

Britton, John, 1771-1857

Nichols, John Gough, 1806-1873

Nichols, John, 1745-1826

Nichols, J. B. (John Bowyer), 1779-1863

Westminster Palace (London, England)

Genres and Forms of Materials

Correspondence

Plates (illustrations)

Publications

Series 1. Correspondence and other material 1650-1905, undated

Series Scope and Contents

This series contains correspondences and other material found within the published book titled The History of the Ancient Palace and Late Houses of Parliament at Westminster : Embracing Accounts and Illustrations of St. Stephen's Chapel, and its Cloisters, - Westminster Hall, - The Court of Requests, - The Painted Chamber by Edward Wedlake Brayley and John Britton (1836).

Series Arrangement

This series is arranged sequentially according to box and folder number (the original order that the individual items were located in the book has been maintained).

Box 1, Folder 1

Correspondence to J.B. Nichols, Esquire. from J. C. Buckler 1819 September 9

Box 1, Folder 1

Notes regarding rebuilt areas of St. Stephen's Chapel and House of Lords [architectural drawing attached in lower left corner] undated

Box 1, Folder 1

Correspondence to Wilki Collins from John Britton 1848 December 4

Box 1, Folder 1

Correspondence to unknown from unknown [signature removed; in pencil above "My dear sir," is written "W. Safford"] undated

Box 1, Folder 1

Correspondence to G. James Ache from Champion Dymoke undated

Box 1, Folder 1

Correspondence to J.B. Nichols, Esquire from E. W. Brayley 1839 January 26

Box 1, Folder 1

Correspondence to unknown from Charles Barry, Jr. 1881 May 24

Box 1, Folder 1

Correspondence to Pickersgile Esquire RA from D. Maclise undated

Box 1, Folder 1

Correspondence to unknown from Ar. Onslow 1800 November 16

Box 1, Folder 2

Correspondence to unknown from Ar. Onslow 1801 August 6

Box 1, Folder 2

Correspondence to The Rev'd Dr Kippis from John Rayner 1783 April 7

Box 1, Folder 2

Correspondence to unknown from Earl of Dundonald 1830 July 14

Box 1, Folder 2

Correspondence to unknown from George Dance 1811 October 27

Box 1, Folder 2

Correspondence to unknown from Edward W. Brayley 1837 August 12

Box 1, Folder 2

Correspondence to Sir John Cam Hobhouse from WG and to WG from Sir John Cam Hobhouse 1857 September 19

Box 1, Folder 2

Financial records regarding Sir Thomas Lenthall circa 1650

Box 1, Folder 2

Admit card to House of Lords 1905 February 14

Box 1, Folder 2

Correspondence to J.B. Nichols, Esquire from J. C. Buckler 1819 November 24

Series 2. Plates (illustrations) 1747-1875, undated

Series Scope and Contents

This series consists of the plates (illustrations) found in the published book titled The History of the Ancient Palace and Late Houses of Parliament at Westminster : Embracing Accounts and Illustrations of St. Stephen's Chapel, and its Cloisters, - Westminster Hall, - The Court of Requests, - The Painted Chamber by Edward Wedlake Brayley and John Britton (1836).

Series Arrangement

This series is arranged sequentially according to box and folder number (the original order that the individual items were located in the book has been maintained).

Box 1, Folder 3

Plates (illustrations), "Edifices of London – public buildings, Westminster Hall looking south" undated

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 22.5cm x 13.5cm

Caption

"A. Pugin, direxit -T.T. Bury. Del.t B. Winkles. Sculp.t"

Box 1, Folder 3

Plates (illustrations), "Edifices of London – Halls, Westminster Hall North front" undated

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 22.5cm x 13.5cm

Caption

"Pt. 2, A. Pugin; direxit J. Willis. Del.t, G. Gladwin. Sculp.t; John Weale, Architecutural Library 59 High Holborn"

Box 1, Folder 3

Plates (illustrations), "Sale de Westminster, ou Westminster – Hall" undated

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 18cm x 15.5cm

Caption

"Pag: 848"

Box 1, Folder 3

Plates (illustrations), "The Funeral Proceſsion of the Right hon.ble Charles James Fox _ paſsing the end of Old Palace Yard" 1806

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 28cm x 21cm

Caption

"Engraved for the Lady's Magazine"; "London Publishd as the Act directs No. 1 1806 by G. Robinson Paternoster Row"

Box 1, Folder 3

Plates (illustrations), "Interior of the New House of Lords" 1847

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 18.5cm x 22.5cm

Caption

"Harris Brothers 8 Budge Row 1847"

Box 1, Folder 3

Plates (illustrations), "Vue de Westminster-Hall" undated

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 18cm x 15.5cm

Caption

"Pag: 840"

Box 1, Folder 3

Plates (illustrations), "Westminster Hall, East Entrance" July 1815

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 13.5cm x 21.5cm

Caption

"Engraved by Wallis from a drawing by J.P. Neale for the Beauties of England and Wales"; "London published by John Harris, St. Pauls Church Yard July 1815"

Box 1, Folder 3

Plates (illustrations), "The lower Lobby, House of Commons" 1815 September 1

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 13.5cm x 21.5cm

Caption

"Engraved by Sands from drawing by JP Neale for the Beauties of England and Wales"; "London published by John Harris, St. Pauls Church Yard Sept 1 1815"

Box 1, Folder 3

Plates (illustrations), "A Perspective View of Westminster Abbey from the High Altar to the West End, shewing the manner of his Majeſty's Crowning Sep.r 22 1761" 1761 September 22

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 22cm x 19cm

Caption

"George III"

Box 1, Folder 3

Plates (illustrations), "Ground-Plan of Part of the City of Westminster as it appeared at the coronation of King George III – 1761" 1820 March 15

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 21.5cm x 21cm

Caption

"London – Published 15th March 1820 by John Major 18 Skinner SPlate 10:"; "Ground-Plan of Part of the City of Westminster as it appeared at the coronation of King George III – 1761"; "London – Published 15th March 1820 by John Major 18 Skinner Street"

Box 1, Folder 3

Plates (illustrations), "A View of the House of Peers, The King sitting on the Throne, the Commons attending him" January 1769

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 21.5cm x 27cm

Caption

"Gent. Mag Jan.y 1769"; "J. Lodge delin et sculp."

Box 1, Folder 3

Plates (illustrations), "Representation of the Court at the Trial of Lord Byron" undated

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 21cm x 27cm

Box 1, Folder 4

Plates (illustrations), "Part of Westminster Hall" 1805 September 3

Physical Description: 9.5cm x 15cm

Captions:

"Engraved by J. Grey for the Antiquarian & Topographical cabinet from a drawing by W.m Deeble"; "Published for the proprietors by w. Clarke New Bond St. & J. Carpenter Old Bond St. Sep 3 1805"

Box 1, Folder 4

Plates (illustrations), "Westminster Hall" 1875

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 14cm x 22cm

Caption

"G. Garielli scupt."; "Eton: Williams & son 1875"

Box 1, Folder 4

Plates (illustrations), "A View of the Inſide of Weſtminster Hall" undated

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 26.5cm x 20cm

Caption

"vol. 15 pg 89"; "This was formerly the chief palace of the Kings of England but none of them have resided in it since Henry 8 when great part of it was burnt…"

Box 1, Folder 4

Plates (illustrations), "A View of the Scaffolding in Westminster Hall" 1747

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 25cm x 21cm

Caption

"q. II 1747"; "The Plan"

Box 1, Folder 4

Plates (illustrations), "A View of the Court Sitting on the trial of Lord Mellville in Westminster Hall" 1806 July 1

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 18.5cm x 16.5cm

Caption

"published as the Act directed July 1 1806, by G. Robinson Paternoster Row"; ":T. Prattent sculpt."

Box 1, Folder 4

Plates (illustrations), "House of Commons. House of Lords as they were before the Fire 16th Oct.r 1834" undated

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 25cm x 20cm

Caption

"drawn by Jn. Shury & Son"; "Printed by Day & Haghe Gates st."; "London, Published by John Shury & Son 16 Charterhouse St. Charterho Sqe."

Box 1, Folder 4

Plates (illustrations), "A View of the Court Sitting on the trial of Warren Hastings Esqr. in Westminster Hall" 1788

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 26.5cm x 21.5cm

Caption

"Lady's magazine"; "Pubd Nat 1 1788, according to Act of Parliament by G. Robinson & Co. Pattter Noster Row"

Box 1, Folder 4

Plates (illustrations), "View of the choir, theatre and area" AND "The Homage in the Theatre" September 1831

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 38cm x 22cm

Caption

"Gent. Mag. Sept. 1831 Pl. IV p. 229"; "Gent. Mag. Sept. 1831 Pl. III p. 228"

Box 1, Folder 4

Plates (illustrations), "The Houses of Lords Commons on the Fire Oct.r 16th 1834" undated

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 18.5cm x 16cm

Caption

"London. Published by J & F Harwood, 26 Fenchurch St."

Box 1, Folder 4

Plates (illustrations), "The Doors above the Porch and on the level with the Gallery…" undated

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 22.5cm x 27cm

Caption

"Arnolds magazine of the Fine Arts"; "Drawn on Stone by T Allon"; "Printed by C. Hullmandel"

Box 1, Folder 4

Plates (illustrations), "A View of the Riot Dec.r 11th 1770" 1770

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 13.5cm x 22cm

Caption

"But that we are forbid, To tell the Secrets of the Upper House. We Could a Tale Unfold, Whose lightest Word Would harrow up the Reader's Soul - Shakes. alter'd"

Box 1, Folder 4

Plates (illustrations), "Vox Populi vox Dei" undated

Physical Description:

Dimensions: 13.5cm x 22cm

Caption

"Think what care, What vigilance, what toils, what bright contention...- Thomson"

Series 3. Publications 1836

Series Scope and Contents

This series constists of the published book, The History of the Ancient Palace and Late Houses of Parliament at Westminster : Embracing Accounts and Illustrations of St. Stephen's Chapel, and its Cloisters, - Westminster Hall, - The Court of Requests, - The Painted Chamber by Edward Wedlake Brayley and John Britton (1836).

Series Arrangement

This series is arranged by box number.

Box 2

Book titled The History of the Ancient Palace and Late Houses of Parliament at Westminster : Embracing Accounts and Illustrations of St. Stephen's Chapel, and its Cloisters, - Westminster Hall, - The Court of Requests, - The Painted Chamber by Edward Wedlake Brayley and John Britton. Published in London by John Weale, Architectural Library. 1836.