1-191-755 - © London Museum/Heritage-Images

The Legal Quays, London, 1757. This engraving illustrates the intense overcrowding which existed at the quays situated between the Tower of London and London Bridge due to the increased volume of trade which existed by the middle of the 18th century. Between 1720 and 1800, the trade of the Port of London in fact tripled in volume as the British Empire expanded. Besides the forests of ships' masts, treadwheel cranes, Customs Officers and porters can be seen busily at work.