Maldwyn G.T. Morris writes that the building of plate 30 states: "A great improvement has lately been effected by the widening of the bridge, which has now a total breadth of 65 feet, while the footways are each fifteen feet wide, being an addition of nearly six feet in width to each pathway." According to a site on the history of London,
Throughout the latter part of the 19th century there were repeated calls for the bridge to be widened. These demands were due to the ever increasing volume of traffic chaos caused by the vast numbers of vehicles using it. They were all ignored however, for reasons of finances, and the wish not to spoil the architecture. In 1902 plans were finally put into action and the bridge was widened. The alterations added four and a half feet to each footpath, and two and a half to the road.
Mr. Morris concludes, "So I think 1902 is the earliest possible publication date." He adds, "One building mentions the late Queen, so they must of course date from after 1901!" In a subsequent communication, Mr. Morris reported that "Westminster Bridge had tram tracks installed in 1906," and Plate 13 does not have them yet. Therefore the book can be dated between 1902-1906.
Mr. Morris has also identified the Feists whose names appear embossed on the volume: "H. and C.J. Feist are/were Port dealers founded in 1836, and the firm was still going in 1997."
Last modified 11 November 2003