Description:This engraving shows the Principal Building at Matthew Boulton's Soho Manufactory and was published in the History of Staffordshire produced by the Reverend Stebbing Shaw (1762-1802). It was drawn and engraved by Francis Eginton (1737-1805) who was employed by Boulton as a glass painter.
This copy of the engraving is from the Phillp album, a collection of watercolours and sketches by John Phillp (c.1778-1815). Phillp may have been Matthew Boulton's son but the evidence is inconclusive. He was born in Falmouth, Cornwall and came to Soho in 1793. Boulton paid for William Hollins to teach him architectural drawing in 1795. During his time at Soho he produced designs for silver, plate, medals and tokens.
Conservation and cleaning had to be undertaken on the album before it could be scanned and this was carried out as part of the Digital Handsworth Project.