[London, Printed for the Author Rich Wallis Citizen & Arms painter of London & are to be sold by him at his Shop against ye Royall Exchange 1677.]
Engraving. 200 x 155mm, 8 x 6". Trimmed, mounted in album paper.
The Company of Mineral and Battery Works was one of two mining monopolies created by Queen Elizabeth I in the 1560s. Various craft guilds were established in London as early as the 12th century, later becoming known as City Livery Companies because they often wore a distinctive livery or uniform. The companies decided who could work or trade in their crafts, controlling prices and wages, working conditions and welfare. In return for exercising rigorous quality control they received monopoly powers. In continental Europe, various revolutions in the 18th and 19th centuries swept away the guilds, but in England they continued, and several new Companies have appeared in recent years. From "Londons Armory Accuratly delineated in a Graphical display of all the Arms, Crests, Supporters, Mantles and Motto’s of every distinct Company and Corporate Societie in the Honourable City of London".
[Ref: 17845]  £70.00