Great Yarmounth. Between c 1720 and 1752 the brothers Samuel and Nathaniel Buck, produced over 300 engravings of topograhical antiquities, and 83 larger townscapes, the latter being particularly sought-after today. They were sold singly and in collected formats, being generally referred to as "Bucks Views". By 1780 the Bucks' copper plates had passed to Robert Sayer, one of the 18th century's most important publishers of maps and prints. Sayer republished the works, his edition differing from the original only in the addition of plate numbers. This view of Yarmouth is dated 1741, but has a plate number, thus dating it to the Sayer edition of the 1780's. Currently framed but could be de-framed if so desired.
The East Prospect of Sheffield in the County of York. Between c 1720 and 1752 the brothers Samuel and Nathaniel Buck, produced over 300 engravings of topograhical antiquities, and 83 larger townscapes. These prints, collectively known as Bucks' Views, are much admired and collected today, and especially the larger townscapes. This view of Sheffield from the eastern side is dated 1745. Sheffield's origins go back to the iron age forts of the Brigantes, the local tribe who dominated several of the northern counties until the arrival of the Romans. After the Norman conquest Sheffield grew from being a small market town on the back of specialist industires. By the 14th century it was already known for producing knives, and by the 1660's was second only to London in the manufacture of cutlery. At the time this print was taken the town was poised for further growth on the back of its latest technolgical innovations - steel making, and silver plating by the method to be known as "Sheffiled Plate". The print, however, still suggests rural tranquillity.