Edward Cooke R.A. (1811-1880) was the outstanding British marine artist of his time. He came from a family of engravers and was already proficient in that art at the age of nine. In 1826 at the age of 15 he embarked on a project to record the demolition of the medieval London Bridge and the construction of its replacement, designed by John Rennie. Guildhall Library holds 69 of these drawings: they were presented in 1872 by Alderman Sir David Salomons, a close friend of Cooke. The young Edward Cooke was clearly fascinated by the scaffolding and the intricate machinery, and his detailed, meticulous style depicts this well. Twelve of the drawings were later selected for engraving and publication in 1833 under the title 'Views of the Old and New London Bridge'.