Beschreibung:

NASH, John (1752-1835). Autograph letter signed to Lord Glenbervie, Dover Street [London], 21 March 1811, 3½ pages, 4to, endorsed by recipient (split through at folds in each leaf, with cloth tape repairs affecting approximately 3 words, worn at margins, with partial loss of 5 words). An attractive letter, casting light on a very early stage of Nash's plans for Regent Street ('the New Street'). Nash discusses the width of the projected street and the number of side streets that are to be allowed to communicate with it, and argues passionately and eloquently for the whole street to be colonnaded: 'The Colonades (sic) would be ... more crowded even than the Portico's (sic) of Athens ... and in fair weather only imagine the brilliant effect of the Ballustrades (sic) lined with beauty and fashion the broad Street full of gilt Carriages and splendid liveries the Colonades deck'd out with shops ... and the pavement crowded with the gay and fashionable'. Lord Glenbervie was First Commissioner of Woods, Forests and Land Revenues, the office responsible for the Regent's Park and Regent Street projects. The letter refers to Nash's initial plans, which envisioned the new street running from Regent's Park to Carlton House in three straight lines, changing direction only at Oxford Street and Piccadilly. Nash's colonnades were vetoed by Glenbervie, but were eventually built, with cast-iron Doric columns, in the 'Quadrant' (from Glasshouse Street to Piccadilly Circus). Architecturally magnificent but disastrous in every other respect, they were pulled down in 1848.