This collection of 442 watercolours by John Crowther (1837?-1902?) was given to Guildhall Library (later transferred to London Metropolitan Archives) in 1961 by Sir Edward Chadwyck-Healey, the grandson of Sir Charles Chadwyck-Healey who commissioned them in 1879.

The intention of the commission was to record some of the buildings endangered by the rapid expansion and modernisation of the Victorian metropolis. John Crowther worked for more than 15 years on the project, from 1879 to about 1894, producing studies in watercolour and pencil. The images depict ancient buildings in many parts of central and suburban London. Crowther was often drawn to the more picturesque sites, completing pictures of some of the remaining galleried coaching inns and old manor houses swallowed up by suburbia. He was also attracted to the richness of buildings such as the City of London Livery Company halls.