The College of Arms
By SHERMIN, W[illiam] and WHITE, T[homas] after MALTON, T[homas] , 1768
£2,000
BUY

The College of Arms, or Heralds Office, London, MDCCLXVIII.

British Isles London
  • Author: SHERMIN, W[illiam] and WHITE, T[homas] after MALTON, T[homas]
  • Publication place: [London,
  • Publication date: 1768].
  • Physical description: Engraving.
  • Dimensions: Image: 355 by 485mm (14 by 19 inches). Sheet: 395 by 500mm (15.5 by 19.75 inches).
  • Inventory reference: 12441

Notes

The print shows the College of Arms, in what is now Queen Victoria Street. The large border contains the crests of the officers of the College. At the top of each side border are the crests of the six heralds of arms in ordinary: Richmond, Chester, Lancaster, York, Somerset, and Windsor. Underneath are the crests of the pursuivants of arms in ordinary: Bluemantle, Rouge Croix, Rouge Dragon and Portcullis. The arms of the Earls of Norfolk (the Earl of Norfolk holds the position of Earl Marshal of the College) and Scarbrough bracket the royal arms. At the lower edge are the crests of the kings at arms: Garter Principal, Clarenceux, and Norroy and Ulster.

Although the ceremonial role of the College declined during the eighteenth century, it retained a crucial role in recording genealogy.

The print is made after a drawing by Thomas Malton the Elder (1726-1801), an architectural draughtsman known best for the first commercially produced pop-up book.

Bibliography

  1. BL Maps K.Top.25.3.

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