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Edwardian London in Photos
I recently came across a book containing views of Edwardian London that I hadn't seen before on the net. Three Hundred and Fifty Views -...

Peter Berthoud
Oct 2, 2012


As Black as Newgate's Knocker
"It's as black as Newgate's knocker" is an old phrase that will be familiar to many Londoners. But just how black was the knocker? Well,...

Peter Berthoud
Sep 25, 2012


The Visscher Panorama of London in 1616
Claes Visscher's Panorama of London in 1616 is one of the finest views we have of London before the Great Fire. It is over two metres...

Peter Berthoud
Sep 13, 2012


Kings Cross: A Cross for Kings
In 1830 the area of London formerly known as Battle Bridge acquired a new name, Kings Cross. This is a rare image of the "cross" that led...

Peter Berthoud
Aug 14, 2012


London for Sale: Eros, a Routemaster and Some Stunning Rare Images
Christie's London Sale brings together an amazing range of objects that will be of great interest to any London enthusiast. On September...

Peter Berthoud
Aug 9, 2012


The Newgate Prison Execution Journal: Chilling, Unique, Unpublished
This is the handwritten Newgate Prison execution journal of the "Ordinary", or Chaplain, of Newgate, the Rev. Horace Salusbury Cotton....

Peter Berthoud
Aug 1, 2012


Rare London Images Shared by Fine Bookseller
This little book is unique. There is only one copy, it is handwritten, it has never been published in print or on-line. It contains a...

Peter Berthoud
Jul 31, 2012


Remarkable Lives of London Messengers in the 1930s
In the days before email, messengers provided a vital communication service. But they did far more than just deliver messages; they could...

Peter Berthoud
Jul 29, 2012


Vintage Portraits of London Street Markets
In 1936 a Bauhaus master turned his attention to London Street Markets. László Moholy-Nagy provided 64 superb images for Mary Benedetta's...

Peter Berthoud
Jul 17, 2012


The London Horse
The British Museum have just opened a new, free, exhibition "The Horse: from Arabia to Royal Ascot". The exhibition seeks to demonstrate...

Peter Berthoud
Jul 16, 2012


There are no Cells at The Viaduct Tavern
In countless books, guides, apps and websites dealing with “Secret”, “Hidden” and “Curious” London it is asserted with bland confidence...

Peter Berthoud
Jul 16, 2012


A Tideless Thames: London's Highest Priority?
"The removal of the tides from the London Reaches is, in my opinion, the greatest single measure that can be taken for the benefit of...

Peter Berthoud
Jul 12, 2012


London Markets in the 1930s
In 1930 the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries published a report on London Markets. The report described all the principal London...

Peter Berthoud
Jul 4, 2012


Plans for a Charing Cross Bridge Without Trains
Less than fifty years after the opening of Charing Cross, there were plans to close the station and replace its rail bridge with a grand...

Peter Berthoud
Jun 28, 2012


A Bizarre Victorian Soho Bazaar
In June 1893 a grand fundraising bazaar was held in Soho. Partly to serve as a souvenir, partly to help promote the Soho Bazaar, a little...

Peter Berthoud
Jun 11, 2012


A Grim View Inside Newgate Prison in the 1890s
There are very few photos of Newgate prison on the net. The most commonly reproduced ones come from a late Victorian book, Queen’s...

Peter Berthoud
May 29, 2012


The Annual London Heatwave 1920s style
In 1928 an anonymous writer noted that: "London's annual heat wave is always forgotten by the next year. According to Londoners it rains...

Peter Berthoud
May 25, 2012


A Fine New Companion in The City of London
There are countless books on The City of London but a new title improves upon so many that have gone before. "The City of London: A...

Peter Berthoud
May 19, 2012


Bird’s-Eye View Maps of Victorian London
In 1880 Herbert Fry published London a handbook for Victorian visitors. The popular book ran to many editions. A major factor for its...

Peter Berthoud
May 8, 2012


Sean Henry Sculpture at Economist Plaza
British sculptor Sean Henry has just installed three, larger than life figures to coincide with a new gallery show. The first, Seated...

Peter Berthoud
May 4, 2012
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