London, from the Upper Gallery of St. Paul’s Cathedral. [Together with;] London, from the Upper Gallery of the Steeple of St. Bride’s Church.

Apprenticed to an architect in 1819 aged 15 , Allom attended the Royal Academy Schools as an architectural student from 1828, and was one of the founder members of the Institute of British Architects in 1834. His obituary in the Art Journal stated that “in his three-fold capacity of architect, artist and draughtsman few men were more widely known in the art world”. As a student he supported himself by making drawings for albums of steel-engraved views, and “It is upon about 1500 designs for albums of topographical steel-engravings that his more prominent and lasting reputation rests.” [ODNB]. The combination of the architect’s eye for accuracy and the draughtsman’s skill in composition is clearly displayed in this fine pair of prints which combine to provide, from opposed viewpoints, a vertiginously spectacular panorama sweeping across London.

Very light browning, else very good condition indeed.