This print from The Memorials of Manchester Streets by R W. Procter, 1874 shows Queen Victoria’s first visit to the city as Queen.

Procter was part of the legendary Manchester writer’s group known as Poet’s Corner. Love of literature found its way into Procter’s day job as a barber, where he started a circulating library within his premises.

Procter was also friends with Robert Rose the self-titled “Bard of Colour” – the only black member of Poet’s Corner. Robert was a local favourite about town, and among his works is The Coronation, poem celebrating Victoria’s coronation in 1838. Years later in 1851 when the Queen eventually visited Manchester, Robert would not attend the festivities with his friends as he had died in police custody two years earlier.

This print was reproduced from The Memorials of Manchester Streets by R W. Procter, 1874.

Curated by Testament Hip-Hop MC, writer and theatre maker

• Printed on A3 (29.7 cm x 42 cm) 250gsm, Perlino Cotton paper, SC® certified board made up of 65% virgin fibres, 25% recycled material and 10% cotton fibre

• Limited edition with hand-labelled numbers

• Your purchases contribute to the Portico’s free public programme

• This product does not come with frames