Grosvenor Prints, based in London's Covent Garden, is one of the few remaining shops left in the UK exclusively selling antique prints. We have represented their collection since 2005, back when Hilary Evans, along with our Head of Content, Tom Gillmor, would visit the gallery periodically in order to select from their extraordinarily varied stock. Hilary and Tom would bring their choices back to the library where the images would be captioned and scanned before being returned and a new selection made. The result is a delightful mix of the highest quality engravings and lithographic prints, mainly focused on the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

The subject matter is as eclectic as you might expect covering portraits, politics, places, industry and conflict, but also some fascinating aspects of social history, including trades, pastimes, relationships and fashion. There are scenes of pub brawls, pleasure gardens, chaotic crinolines, quack doctors, dancing dogs, stilt walkers, elopers, pie makers, pea sellers, puppeteers, day trippers and lady skippers, projecting an often surprising overview of how life was lived, in all its bawdy brilliance. The collection also has a superb set of scenes recording places before their tumultuous history changed them beyond recognition - look out for views in Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. Add to that examples of traditional dress, indigenous peoples, astronomy, architecture and entertainment venues, and it's a rich panorama of the past.

You can view a selection from the 1600+ Grosvenor Prints images here. And if you have any questions or require a picture search or quote, we would be delighted to assist. You can call us on 020 8318 0034 or email us at pictures@maryevans.com.