London entered the 20th century at the height of its influence as the capital of the largest empire in history, but the new century was to bring many challenges. London was the largest city in the world from about 1825 until it was overtaken by New York City in 1925. The years between Queen Victoria’sContinue reading “Edwardian London as Seen Through the Eyes of a Russian Tourist”
Tag Archives: England
Amazing Vintage Photographs of 1900 One Thousand Mile Trial
In 1900, automobiles weren’t much more impressive than the horse-drawn carriages they were meant to replace. Internal combustion engines offered about 12 horsepower, but they were also loud, dirty, and unreliable. In a public effort to dispel that image—or at least the unreliable part—the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland organized the 1,000 MileContinue reading “Amazing Vintage Photographs of 1900 One Thousand Mile Trial”
Double the Hitchcock, Double the Fun?
Some behind the scenes photos of Alfred Hitchcock holding a plaster dummy head of himself on the set of Frenzy (1972). Frenzy was the third and final film that Hitchcock made in Britain after he moved to Hollywood in 1939. The other two were Under Capricorn (1949) and Stage Fright (1950). The last film heContinue reading “Double the Hitchcock, Double the Fun?”
Gorgeous Vintage Color Slides of York in 1968
York is a cathedral city and unitary authority area, at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss, in England. It is the head city of historic Yorkshire and was a county corporate, outside of the county’s council and the ridings. The city has long-standing buildings and structures, such as a minster, castle and ancientContinue reading “Gorgeous Vintage Color Slides of York in 1968”
Stunning Vintage Black-and-White Photos by Edwin Smith
Edwin Smith (born Edwin George Herbert Smith) was an English photographer best known for his distinctive vignettes of English gardens, landscapes, and architecture. In 1935 he became a freelance photographer, working as a fashion photographer for Vogue for a short time. However, Smith concentrated his artistic efforts on subjects such as the mining community ofContinue reading “Stunning Vintage Black-and-White Photos by Edwin Smith”
The British Pet Massacre of World War II
The British pet massacre was an event in 1939 in the United Kingdom where over 750,000 pets were killed in preparation for food shortages during World War II. In 1939, the British government formed the National Air Raid Precautions Animals Committee (NARPAC) to decide what to do with pets before the war broke out. TheContinue reading “The British Pet Massacre of World War II”
40 Incredible Color Photographs That Show What Life Was Really Like in Britain in the 1950s
Unemployment was very low in the 1950s and it was a long period of prosperity. In the early part of the decade, there was still rationing. However, food rationing ended in 1954. In the 1950s living standards in Britain rose considerably. In the late 1950s, Britain became an affluent society. By 1959 about two-thirds ofContinue reading “40 Incredible Color Photographs That Show What Life Was Really Like in Britain in the 1950s”
Stunning Vintage Photos of a Vanished London’s East End in Color
In 2017, photographer Chris Dorley-Brown stumbled across thousands of extraordinary color slides, which belonged to local, East End photographer David Granick, when he was invited to examine the Tower Hamlets Local History Library & Archives. Born in 1912, Granick lived in Stepney until his death in 1980. A brilliant photographer and member of the EastContinue reading “Stunning Vintage Photos of a Vanished London’s East End in Color”
Candid Photographs of The Rolling Stones Performing at the Alexandra Palace in London, 1964
The Rolling Stones’ All Night Rave took place at the Alexandra Palace in London on June 26, 1964. Organized by The Rolling Stones’ fan club, the show coincided with the release date of the band’s hit “It’s All Over Now”. The Stones joined a blues-rich bill that featured John Lee Hooker, John Mayall, Alexis Korner,Continue reading “Candid Photographs of The Rolling Stones Performing at the Alexandra Palace in London, 1964”
Swinging London: A Look Back at Carnaby Street in the Sixties
Carnaby Street is a pedestrianised shopping street in Soho in the City of Westminster, Central London. It is home to fashion and lifestyle retailers, including many independent fashion boutiques. By the 1960s, Carnaby Street was popular with followers of the mod and hippie styles. Many independent fashion designers, such as Mary Quant, Marion Foale andContinue reading “Swinging London: A Look Back at Carnaby Street in the Sixties”
Yesterday Today 