A View of the Tunnel under the Thames

This perspective view of the Thames Tunnel comprises 6 hand coloured images of the tunnel viewed through an oval hole cut out from the centre of the card cover. The perspective shows a view of the 'tunnel under the Thames, as it will appear when completed' together with printed information about the construction which began on 18 May 1827. Through the six arches can be viewed carriages, figures and the staircases down which passengers would descend from street level. The view includes an original slip in card case with an applied label printed with an illustration and the title 'A view of the tunnel under the Thames Price 2s Pub Novr 1827 superior edition 3s'.

A number of perspective views were produced as souvenirs for this major visitor attraction, the quality and price varying to suit different audiences. This must have been one of the earliest views to have been produced as it was published only months after construction began. The fact that the publisher believed there to be a ready market for such views of an, as yet, unfinished tunnel is testimony to the huge public interest this engineering feat inspired over the years.