Beschreibung:

Autograph letter signed (“John Rennie”), to Davies Gilbert, discussing contracts for the new London Bridge: telling Gilbert that he has no doubt heard from his brother George “that all the London Bridge Business has terminated so well” and analysing rival contractors´ estimates for the work, including the pulling down of the old bridge, which was won by their contractors, Jolliffe & Banks, with a quotation of £460,000 (“...Jolliffe & Banks have got the Contract with great eclat...Peto was 1000 below Js Banks, but upon close examination it appeared, that Peto had not included the same alterations in the Old Bridge which I stated to be absolutely necessary unless they chose to pull Down the Old Bridge in the first instance, & build a temporary one, but so great was the opposition...that they voted about 40 to 4 against removing the Old Bridge...the expence of the alterations in the Old Bridge I stated it was impossible to calculate, but I thought it would not be less than 30,000 to this they consented so that the trial will be made immediately above the Old Bridge, which is to remain without alteration until the progress of the works or the navigation is so far impeded as to require some increase in its waterway...I hear you are invited to the grand dinner...”), three pages, 4to, printed identification slip, partly laid down, Stamford Street, 21 February 1824; together with an autograph letter signed by his elder brother George, also to Davies Gilbert, announcing his brother John´s appointment as engineer of the new bridge jointly with Thomas Telford (“...With respect to London Bridge I have the pleasure to inform you that the question of appointing an Engineer is at length decided by the appointment of my Brother...at a subsequent meeting they annuled this resolution & brought in Mr Telford to act jointly or separately with my Brother...But the difficulties are not terminated – for unless the Engineer has the sole controul of the persons under him & the choice of those persons with full power to prevent interference by individuals of the Committee...the greatest inconvenience will result...”), concluding his letter “This is all the news relative to London Bridge”, three pages, 4to, address panel, docketed by Gilbert partly laid down, printed identification slip, Royal Mint, 25 August 1823 SIR JOHN RENNIE BUILDS LONDON BRIDGE. The famous mediaeval bridge had been stripped of its buildings in the mid eighteenth century, and in 1823 Parliament approved of a new one designed by John Rennie Senior (1761-1821), father of the writers of the present letters, Sir John (1794-1874, knighted on the opening of the new bridge), and George (1791-1866). While Sir John carried on the engineering side of their father´s business, George superintended the mechanical. The foundation stone of the new bridge was laid in 1825 and it was opened in 1831, after which the mediaeval bridge was demolished in accordance with the plan set out in this letter. The Rennie bridge was in its turn to be replaced in 1967, and reassembled in the Arizona desert at Lake Havasu City.