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Victorian engravings celebrate Smithfield Market reopening

Museum of London SmithfieldMuseum of London
Engraving of the last day of the old Smithfield Market from June 1855

The Museum of London has released engravings to celebrate the reopening of the Smithfield Market.

The market, which was a popular place of trade and to hear the latest news, has existed on the site in London for over 800 years.

It closed in 1855, but was rebuilt and opened on 24 November 1868.

The Museum of London is running a series of events for the next year to mark the 150th anniversary of the reopening.

Over August Bank Holiday in 2018 the museum will put on a street party including food, music and historic re-enactments to mark the anniversary.

Museum of London SmithfieldMuseum of London
One reader of the London Illustrated News expresses his sorrow at the closure

One reader of the London Illustrated News was so distraught at the closure in 1855 that he wrote: "I've buried three wives, but that's nothink - I mean nothink at all in comparison.

"To think that old Smiffield's done up! That the days of its glory is over!"

Museum of London SmithfieldMuseum of London
Engraving of the feast celebrating the reopening of the market from December 1868

The market was referenced in Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist as a place where "countrymen, butchers, drovers, hawkers, boys, thieves, idlers, and vagabonds of every low grade, were mingled together in a mass".

The livestock market finally closed in 1855, in part because it was no longer big enough to meet London's meat demand, and was replaced by the Metropolitan Cattle Market in Islington.

Museum of London SmithfieldMuseum of London
Meat served to revellers in another engraving of the banquet

The present Smithfield Market on Charterhouse Street was established by the 1860 Metropolitan Meat and Poultry Market Act.

Designed by architect Sir Horace Jones, who also designed Billingsgate and Leadenhall markets, the new buildings restored the market's position in the heart of the city.

Inspired by Italian architecture, work began in 1866 and was completed in 1868. A banquet was held on 24 November 1868 to celebrate the opening of the market building.