The Drawing Rooms Of Old LondonClick here to book for The Gentle Author’s ToursImpending gloom at the Mansion House, c. 1910Given the relentless heatwave, I think the only prudent course of action is to withdraw into one of the drawing rooms of old London and close the curtains. A meagre ray of sunlight has filtered through the drapes, highlighting the dust upon the armoire. Stretch out upon the chaise longue, I shall take the sofa where I shall open my copy of War & Peace while my cat will settle upon the fauteuil. These glass slides once used for magic lantern shows by the London & Middlesex Archaeological Society at the Bishopsgate Institute reveal glimpses into the lavish drawing rooms occupied by those at the pinnacle of power in old London, and I can only wonder what the East Enders of a century ago thought when exposed to these strange visions of another world. State Room Chelsea Royal Hospital, c. 1920Drawing Room at Lindsay House, Chelsea, former home of the Moravians, 1912Hall at Fulham Palace, c. 1920White Drawing Room, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910Dining Room at Buckingham Palace, c. 1910Christians’ Sitting Room, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910Prince Consort’s Writing Room, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910Throne Room at St James’ Palace, c.1910Prince Consort’s Music Room, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910Prince Consort’s Tapestry Room, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910Empress Eugiene’s Room, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910Bow Saloon, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910Prince Consort’s Writing Room, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910Prince Consort’s Music Room, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910Queen Victoria’s Dolls’ House, Kensington Palace, c. 1910Holland House, c. 1910Lord Mayor’s Room, Mansion House, c.1910Drawing Room, Goldsmiths Hall, c. 1920Drawing Room, Armourers’ Hall, c. 1920Small Hall at Cordwainers’ Hall, 1920Drawing Room, Goldsmiths’ Hall, 1920Drawing Room, Salters’ Hall, c. 1910Drawing Room, Mercers’ Hall, 1920Drawing Room, Devonshire House, c. 1910Ballroom at Devonshire House, c. 1910Drawing Room, Whitehall Gardens, 1913Prince Consort’s Dressing Room, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910Belgian Suite Bedroom, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910Prince Consort’s Study, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910Bow Saloon, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910Throne Room, Buckingham Palace, c. 1910Vestry of St Lawrence Jewry, c. 1920Glass slides courtesy Bishopsgate InstituteYou may also like to take a look atThe Nights of Old LondonThe Ghosts of Old London