Victorian London

These rare snaps taken in London show the impoverished life of flower sellers, labourers, chimney sweepers and other Victorian characters. The photographs by John Thomson was published in the monthly serial 'Street Life' between 1877 and 1878. The hard-hitting scenes of vast inequality and widespread poverty is up for auction and is expected to sell for at least £6,000.

Londoners gather around a seller of shellfish. The four men pictured sport a variety of hat shapes and sizes.
Londoners gather around a seller of shellfish. The four men pictured sport a variety of hat shapes and sizes. (SWNS)

 

Workers on the Thames are snapped by John Thomson. In the late 19th century, the Industrial Revolution had brought widespread poverty for the lower classes, incredible wealth for the upper classes and inequality.
Workers on the Thames are snapped by John Thomson. In the late 19th century, the Industrial Revolution had brought widespread poverty for the lower classes, incredible wealth for the upper classes and

 

A donkey seems to suffer under the weight of the cart and man in this rare photograph from 1877.
A donkey seems to suffer under the weight of the cart and man in this rare photograph from 1877. (SWNS)

 

Photographer John Thomson did not just photograph the poor in Victorian England. He also traveled to Malaysia, India, Siam (Thailand), Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and China among others.
Photographer John Thomson did not just photograph the poor in Victorian England. He also traveled to Malaysia, India, Siam (Thailand), Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and China among others. (SWNS)

 

An intimidating effigy is placed at the back of a donkey-drawn cart.
An intimidating effigy is placed at the back of a donkey-drawn cart. (SWNS)

 

Street advertising in 1877 looks very different to the bright, colourful and picture-based posters we have today.
Street advertising in 1877 looks very different to the bright, colourful and picture-based posters we have today. (SWNS)

 

A family stands outside a shop after a flooding in Lambeth. The hard-hitting scenes of widespread poverty seem like a scene from Charles Dickens novel.
A family stands outside a shop after a flooding in Lambeth. The hard-hitting scenes of widespread poverty seem like a scene from Charles Dickens novel. (SWNS)

 

Public disinfectors were tasked wtih the important job of ridding houses and streets with contaminated clothes and virus-ridden furniture.
Public disinfectors were tasked wtih the important job of ridding houses and streets with contaminated clothes and virus-ridden furniture. (SWNS)

 

A black cab looks very different in 1877 as it patrols the London streets looking for customers.
A black cab looks very different in 1877 as it patrols the London streets looking for customers. (SWNS)

 

This photograph of Covent Garden flower women looks like a still from the film 'My Fair Lady' in which Audrey Hepburn plays an impoverished flower seller.
This photograph of Covent Garden flower women looks like a still from the film 'My Fair Lady' in which Audrey Hepburn plays an impoverished flower seller. (SWNS)

 

Landmark: In this iconic 1938 image, three figures astride camels behold the majesty of the Great Sphinx and the pyramids of Giza, Egypt

 

 

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