Street Life in London in 1877 - in pictures
A rare book which was one of the first examples of social documentary photography has been put up for auction. Street Life in London, written by Adolphe Smith with photography by the Scottish photographer John Thomson, was published in 1877. The aim of the book was stated as being 'to bring before the public some account of the present condition of the London street folk, and to supply a series of faithful pictures of the people themselves'
Bonfire night 1876 - picture of the day
Bonfire night 1876 - picture of the day
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Recruiting sergeants at Westminster
Photograph: John Thomson/Alinari via Getty Images
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Flower sellers with their baskets
Photograph: John Thomson/SSPL via Getty Images
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Transport workers travel up the ThamesPhotograph: John Thomson/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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A woman and child sit in a doorway
Photograph: John Thomson/Alinari via Getty Images
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Italian street musiciansPhotograph: John Thomson/Alinari via Getty Images
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Men sit outside a pub
Photograph: John Thompson/Alinari via Getty Images
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A street doctor
Photograph: John Thomson/Alinari via Getty Images
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Cheap fish at St Giles's
Photograph: John Thompson/Alinari via Getty Images
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'The Temperance Sweep' and a barefooted boy small enough to fit inside narrow passages
Photograph: John Thomson/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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A young independent shoeblack shines the boots of a city gent
Photograph: John Thomson/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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A Gypsy caravan at an encampment near Latimer Road, Notting Hill, London
Photograph: John Thomson/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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Porters with boxes of plants at Covent Garden market
Photograph: John Thomson/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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A street photographer at work on Clapham Common
Photograph: John Thomson/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
