1-192-177 - © London Museum/Heritage-Images

The Royal Exchange, City of London, c1900. The street in front of it is a mass of horse drawn carriages and buses. Building work is taking place to the left of it. A tall ladder leans up against the side of the exchange on the right. The Royal Exchange was established by Sir Thomas Gresham in 1566, with the aim of making London main European market-place. It was named the Royal Exchange by Elizabeth I in 1571. It has been destroyed twice by fire but rebuilt both times on the same site. The building pictured was designed by Sir William Tite in 1842.