(SOUTHEND-ON-SEA). STEVENS, Charles.

Dowsett's Panoramic View of Southend-on-Sea. From drawings by Cha's Stevens Esq're F.R.S.L. F.S.A. [c.1850?] 1850.

Tinted lithographed panorama by Stevens & Co., Sennefelder Steam Works, 65 Wilson St. Finsbury. Overall measurement to neat line 27 x 76 cm, comprising two strips 12 x 74 cm depicting the sea-front at Southend, the upper section from St. John's College on the left to Osborne House and Marine Parade on the right, the lower section names the Hope Hotel towards the left and the Castle Hotel towards the right, pleasure and fishing boats bob around in the foreground Some professional restorations and reapirs the whole now laid down on japan paper.

The original wooden pier, featured in this panorama, was first opened in 1830 and replaced in 1889 by an iron pier, work having begun in 1887. By 1848 it was already the longest pier in Europe .Scarce.We have been unable to find any further reference to this item: possibly published by Dowsett's, an emporium on the High Street, which became Forge's Restaurant and is now apparently a fish and chip shop. In 1892 Alderman Thomas Dowsett, proprietor of the eponymous family business, became Southend's first Mayor.