Soho Square: Crosse and Blackwell

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Sir Walter Besant, in The Fascination of London, published in 1903, continues his survey of Soho with this look at The Crosse and Blackwell offices in Soho Square:

On the opposite side of the street Messrs. Crosse and Blackwell's factory also covers a house owning historical associations.

No. 21 was the "White House," and 22, "Falconberg House," in former times.

The latter was the residence of Oliver Cromwell's third daughter, Lady Falconberg, who died in 1712.

Sutton Street takes its name from the county seat of the Falconbergs.

In this house Sir Cloudesley Shovel's body lay in state before its interment, after having been found cast up on one of the Scilly Islands.

A Spanish Ambassador was among the later residents, and afterwards the house was for a time a hotel.

In the large drawing-room the ceiling was painted by Angelica Kauffmann.

The Duke of Argyll, the Earl of Bradford, and Speaker Onslow, were among its tenants.

This house is now (1903) the offices of Messrs. Crosse and Blackwell.

The painted ceiling was carefully taken down and saved from destruction by one of the heads of the firm.

The chief articles of interest remaining are a handsome overmantel in one of the private rooms of the firm, and a curious ceiling.

The former is of wood, and is varnished and painted in various tones of bronze and gold.

The carving upon it is very elaborate and enigmatical.

The panelled ceiling has some affinity with it, but has been modernized, and is not so interesting.

The front of the house remains as it was, and claims to be the only original frontage in the square.

Next: Soho Square: De Quincey lies dying of exhaustion.