Greenwich Park for the London Magazine

A mid-18th century print showing a view of the Queen's House under its title of the 'Ranger's House'. During and after this period it was the residence of both the Ranger and the Governor of Greenwich Hospital (who held both posts until 1743) and then the Ranger's alone until 1806. However it was not occupied as such from about 1780. The Observatory and the hill, on which it stands, are identified respectively as 'Flamstead House' and 'Flamstead Hill'. The vanished Keeper's House can be seen near the modern Bandstand.

The image is signed 'I.M. fecit' in a small cartouche at the top of the border, which divides the views of the Queen's House and Observatory. 'Printed for R. Baldwin Junr at the Rose in Paternoster Row' appears at the top edge and 'for the London Magazine' at the bottom. Missing on this example is 'The North Prospect of Westminster Bridge', which on other copies runs up the left side of the image, requiring left-edge-to-bottom rotation to view it.

The print shows the late 17th century tree avenue and 'rounds' layout as well as the 'great cross avenue', which has now largely vanished (as have the rounds), running across the Park (east to west at the base of the hill). 'Sir James Creed's' ground is just identified on the extreme left end of 'Park Wall' (i.e. Park Vista) lower left, below the first 'Burying Ground' of Greenwich Hospital, in use from 1707 to 1749, but largely built over in the 19th century by nos. 32-40 Maze Hill (originally the Infirmary of the Royal Naval Asylum). The building at the top (south) end is the pavilion of the Officers' Mausoleum, which survives as a garage with the vault sealed beneath it, the east end now being flush with the Maze Hill pavement ('Highway') after later road widening. This Mausoleum remained in occasional use until 1820. 'The London Magazine' was issued from 1732 to 1783, with a continuation to 1785. This image dates to 1749, four years after the House became the grace-and-favour residence of Lady Katharine Pelham (1700/1-80) as Ranger of the Park.

Object Details

ID: PAD2184
Collection: Fine art
Type: Print
Display location: Not on display
Creator: M., I.; Baldwin, Richard
Places: Greenwich
Date made: March 1749
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Mount: 260 mm x 155 mm