View of the New Custom House, taken from the River Thames.

View of the New Custom House, taken from the River Thames. © National Maritime Museum, London

Repro ID: PY2177

Description: This was the new, enlarged Custom House, built by David Laing. After only a few years, part of this building collapsed and had to be rebuit by Robert Smirke. The Custom House was the place where all paperwork regarding customs duties and various other dues would be processed. Customs duties were taxes on trade and formed a large part of the revenue collected by the government.

Creator: R. H. Laurie (publisher)

Date: 12 August 1822