John Thomson & Adolphe Smith | Street Life in London

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First published in 1877, Street Life in London is widely regarded as one of the most significant and far-reaching photobooks ever produced - a ground-breaking work which combines documentary photography, oral history and analysis to confront the realities of urban poverty in Britain.

This new edition presents John Thomson’s exceptional images in all their original detail and richness, alongside the full original text and a new introduction.

The authors' aim was to revolutionise the representation of poverty - an approach which, even today, makes the book thrillingly innovative and direct.

Thread-sewn, OTA binding, with flaps
Cover: Munken Pure Smooth Cream 240gsm 
Text: Munken Pure Smooth Cream 120gsm

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John Thomson & Adolphe Smith | Street Life in London

Description

Contents list
More Less

Introduction | Emily Kathryn Morgan, Iowa State University

London Nomades
London Cabmen
Covent Garden Flower Women
Recruiting Sargeants at Westminster
Street Floods in Lambeth
Public Disinfectors
Street Doctors
Street Advertising
Clapham Common Industries
Caney the Clown
Dealer in Fancy-Ware
The Temperance Sweep
The Dramatic Shoe-Black
Tickets, the Card Dealer
The Old Clothes of St Giles
A Convicts’ Home
The Wall Worker
Covent Garden Labourers
Halfpenny Ices
Black Jack
The Cheap Fish of St Giles
Cast-Iron Billy
Workers on the Silent Highway
The Street Fruit Trade
The London Boardmen
The Water-Cart
Mush-Fakers and Ginger Beer Makers
November Effigies
Hookey Alf of Whitechapel
The Crawlers
Italian Street Musicians
The Street Locksmith
The Seller of Shell-Fish
Flying Dustmen
Old Furniture
The Independent Shoe-Black

Authors
More Less

Adolphe Smith (co-author)
Adolphe Smith (1846-1924) was a prolific radical writer, crusader for wide-ranging reforms, supporter of women's rights, dedicated socialist and a participant in both the Franco-Prussian War and the Paris Commune.

John Thomson ( photographer and co-author)
Scottish photographer John Thomson (1837-1921) came toStreet Life in London already a seasoned photographer and traveller, his life and attitudes shaped by the ten years he lived in Asia from 1862-72. His prior experiences influenced the choices he made and the opportunities he pursued after his permanent return to Britain. Street Life in London was, at least in part, the product of these experiences.

Reviews
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Data
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Pages: 216
Illustrations: 40 colour images
Size: 220 x 170 mm 
Date: 2025
Editions: £30 [paperback] | £20 [eBook]
ISBN: 978-1-912528-50-9 [paperback]

Shipping Information
More Less

Photography Collection
We charge just £5 for worldwide shipping on all our printed books.

Digital Editions
Digital items are sent immediately and automatically via email with a link to download your purchase.

International Orders
Printed books and t-shirts which are shipped internationally may incur import duty or taxes, which are levied once the goods reach their destination.

These vary by country and are payable by the receiver; eBooks are exempt.

Description

First published in 1877, Street Life in London is widely regarded as one of the most significant and far-reaching photobooks ever produced - a ground-breaking work which combines documentary photography, oral history and analysis to confront the realities of urban poverty in Britain.

This new edition presents John Thomson’s exceptional images in all their original detail and richness, alongside the full original text and a new introduction.

The authors' aim was to revolutionise the representation of poverty - an approach which, even today, makes the book thrillingly innovative and direct.

Thread-sewn, OTA binding, with flaps
Cover: Munken Pure Smooth Cream 240gsm 
Text: Munken Pure Smooth Cream 120gsm

Contents list

Introduction | Emily Kathryn Morgan, Iowa State University

London Nomades
London Cabmen
Covent Garden Flower Women
Recruiting Sargeants at Westminster
Street Floods in Lambeth
Public Disinfectors
Street Doctors
Street Advertising
Clapham Common Industries
Caney the Clown
Dealer in Fancy-Ware
The Temperance Sweep
The Dramatic Shoe-Black
Tickets, the Card Dealer
The Old Clothes of St Giles
A Convicts’ Home
The Wall Worker
Covent Garden Labourers
Halfpenny Ices
Black Jack
The Cheap Fish of St Giles
Cast-Iron Billy
Workers on the Silent Highway
The Street Fruit Trade
The London Boardmen
The Water-Cart
Mush-Fakers and Ginger Beer Makers
November Effigies
Hookey Alf of Whitechapel
The Crawlers
Italian Street Musicians
The Street Locksmith
The Seller of Shell-Fish
Flying Dustmen
Old Furniture
The Independent Shoe-Black

Authors

Adolphe Smith (co-author)
Adolphe Smith (1846-1924) was a prolific radical writer, crusader for wide-ranging reforms, supporter of women's rights, dedicated socialist and a participant in both the Franco-Prussian War and the Paris Commune.

John Thomson ( photographer and co-author)
Scottish photographer John Thomson (1837-1921) came toStreet Life in London already a seasoned photographer and traveller, his life and attitudes shaped by the ten years he lived in Asia from 1862-72. His prior experiences influenced the choices he made and the opportunities he pursued after his permanent return to Britain. Street Life in London was, at least in part, the product of these experiences.

Reviews

Data

Pages: 216
Illustrations: 40 colour images
Size: 220 x 170 mm 
Date: 2025
Editions: £30 [paperback] | £20 [eBook]
ISBN: 978-1-912528-50-9 [paperback]

Shipping Information

Photography Collection
We charge just £5 for worldwide shipping on all our printed books.

Digital Editions
Digital items are sent immediately and automatically via email with a link to download your purchase.

International Orders
Printed books and t-shirts which are shipped internationally may incur import duty or taxes, which are levied once the goods reach their destination.

These vary by country and are payable by the receiver; eBooks are exempt.

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