Repro ID: H5282
Title: The frost fair on the Thames in 1814.
Description: An 'Illustrated London News' engraving of the last Thames frost fair of Feburary 1814, taken from the original print by Luke Clenell. At the beginning of January in 1814, the Thames froze hard enough for people to walk on the ice. The river was lined on both sides with about thirty stalls, decorated with streamers, flags and "signs", set up for the sale of porter, spirits, and other drinks, as well as for skittles, dancing, and a variety of games. In addition eight or ten printing-presses were erected, the typographers setting up their type for the printing of cards and broadsides to commemorate the ‘great frost.’ A small sheep roasted on the ice drew quite a crowd - though they were charged sixpence to view it. The meat was afterwards sold at a shilling a slice as ‘Lapland mutton.’
Creator: 'Illustrated London News'
Date: 21 December 1844
Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London
