Hassell Collection of Watercolours

Acquisition of collection of illustrations collected by Robert Barclay [1750-1830], of Bury Hill, Dorking, range from views of Surrey buildings and the gardens attached to them to general topographical views of the county, street scenes and portraits of Surrey inhabitants or people who were associated with the county in some way. A great many of the topographical views are watercolours by John Hassell (1767-1825). In the six portfolios 546 of the 2142 items are by Hassell and testify to the extent of his achievement in recording many of the churches, houses, schools, courthouses, almshouses, bridges and market places which he found during his travels in the county in the early 1820s. A few of the watercolours are also by his son, Edward Hassell (d.1852).