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Fascinating Historical Photos Show Street Life of Victorian London in the 1870s

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These stunning historical photographs were taken from the book ‘Street Life in London,’ and it was one of the first books of social documentary photography. It is also credited as the first instance in which photographs were used as social documentation. The authors, photographer John Thomson and journalist Adolphe Smith, aimed to reveal the conditions of a life of poverty in London by using photography and essays. The book was released in monthly installments and later as a single volume.

Thomson and Smith combined unposed, documentary images of street vendors, beggars, and other workers with interviews, essays, and reportage exploring poverty as a sociological problem to be studied and alleviated. They also interviewed their subjects and published their thoughts and stories in the book.

#1 A shellfish stall owner sells oysters and whelks, 1877.

A shellfish stall owner sells oysters and whelks, 1877.

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#2 Porters with boxes of plants at Covent Garden market, 1877

Porters with boxes of plants at Covent Garden market, 1877

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#3 British Army recruiting sergeants outside a public house at Westminster, 1877

British Army recruiting sergeants outside a public house at Westminster, 1877

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#4 Costermonger Joseph Carney sells fresh herring from his barrow in the street market between Seven Dials and Five Dials in London, 1877

Costermonger Joseph Carney sells fresh herring from his barrow in the street market between Seven Dials and Five Dials in London, 1877

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#6 Bill stickers paste placards advertising Madame Tussaud’s waxworks museum, 1877.

Bill stickers paste placards advertising Madame Tussaud’s waxworks museum, 1877.

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#7 An omnibus driver, known as “Cast-Iron Billy.” 1877

An omnibus driver, known as “Cast-Iron Billy.” 1877

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#11 “Mush-Fakers” and ginger beer makers with their cart, 1877.

“Mush-Fakers” and ginger beer makers with their cart, 1877.

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#16 Caney” the clown weaves cane strips into the seat of a wooden chair, 1877.

Caney” the clown weaves cane strips into the seat of a wooden chair, 1877.

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#18 A dining room for ex-convicts. The owner, left, speaks with Ramo Sammy, a local Indian drummer known as the “tam tam man” 1877.

A dining room for ex-convicts. The owner, left, speaks with Ramo Sammy, a local Indian drummer known as the “tam tam man” 1877.

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#23 A street procession on Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, 1876.

A street procession on Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, 1876.

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#24 People in front of a rag shop in Lambeth, London, where the Thames annual tidal overflow causes hardship to the locals, 1877.

People in front of a rag shop in Lambeth, London, where the Thames annual tidal overflow causes hardship to the locals, 1877.

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#25 Friends enjoy a beer outside The Wallmaker, a public house, 1877.

Friends enjoy a beer outside The Wallmaker, a public house, 1877.

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#26 A man waits for fatigued or adventurous promenaders in a London common to approach him for a donkey ride, 1877.

A man waits for fatigued or adventurous promenaders in a London common to approach him for a donkey ride, 1877.

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#27 A street photographer at work on Clapham Common, 1877.

A street photographer at work on Clapham Common, 1877.

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#28 A fancy ware dealer sells ornaments from his barrow, 1877.

A fancy ware dealer sells ornaments from his barrow, 1877.

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#29 An Italian harpist entertains local children on the street, 1877.

An Italian harpist entertains local children on the street, 1877.

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#30 A “Gypsy” caravan at an encampment near Latimer Road in Notting Hill, 1877.

A “Gypsy” caravan at an encampment near Latimer Road in Notting Hill, 1877.

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#31 Public disinfectors sanitize the streets after an outbreak of smallpox, 1877.

Public disinfectors sanitize the streets after an outbreak of smallpox, 1877.

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#32 Flower women selling bouquets at Covent Garden market, 1877.

Flower women selling bouquets at Covent Garden market, 1877.

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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