Entrance to the House of Lords - 19th Century Antiquarian Steel Engraving

This is an original 19th-century antiquarian print titled 'Entrance to the House of Lords.' The piece is a hand-colored steel engraving, typical of the mid-to-late 1800s, depicting a bustling scene outside the Gothic Revival architecture of the British Parliament. The print features a composition of figures in Victorian-era attire, including gentlemen in top hats and frocks, a woman in a voluminous orange-red skirt, and various townspeople, including a small dog in the foreground. The architectural elements are rendered with fine detail, showcasing crenelated towers, lancet windows, and arched gateways in shades of cream and stone grey against a soft blue and grey sky. The item is currently housed in a modern off-white paper mount (matting) and appears to be wrapped in protective clear plastic. A gold-toned sticker on the mount states: 'THIS ANTIQUARIAN PRINT IS GUARANTEED TO BE OVER 100 YEARS OLD.' Despite this guarantee, the print itself shows characteristic signs of age, including subtle tonal shifts in the paper and minor foxing or oxidation that contributes to an authentic antique patina. The hand-coloring remains relatively vibrant, suggesting it has been kept out of direct UV light. There is a small handwritten number '71' on a corner tag, likely a gallery or auction lot identifier. The craftsmanship is high, indicative of the skilled line work required for steel engraving plates during the Victorian era. The title is clearly printed at the base of the image within the plate mark area.