People of London : Fights, Food and Factory Girls – 1902

Pictures from 'Living London' by George R. Sims, published in 1902

Waiting for Parcels of Food (Cheapside) c.1900

 

In 1902 George R. Sims published a book called Living London; its work and its play, its humour and and its pathos, its sights and its scenes. The photographs and illustrations give an incredible insight to how ordinary Londoners lived at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th.

 

A lager beer saloon on Glasshouse Street in Soho, just off Regent Street.

A lager beer saloon on Glasshouse Street in Soho, just off Regent Street.

 

London Bridge and the river seen from the top of the Monument.

London Bridge and the river seen from the top of the Monument.

 

Tenement blocks recently built off the Farringdon Road.

Tenement blocks recently built off the Farringdon Road.

 

Travellers' encampment in Battersea.

Travellers’ encampment in Battersea.

 

The "Baby Parade" at female part of Wormwood Scrubs Gaol.

The “Baby Parade” at female part of Wormwood Scrubs Gaol.

 

Aerial view of London looking down on Trafalgar Square.

Aerial view of London looking down on Trafalgar Square.

 

Crystal Palace lit up during a firework display.

Crystal Palace lit up during a firework display.

 

Children's playground on an old graveyard on Drury Lane.

Children’s playground on an old graveyard on Drury Lane.

 

Two female 'tramps' sleeping in the sun at Trafalgar Square.

Two female ‘tramps’ sleeping in the sun at Trafalgar Square.

 

Evening dinner at a London boarding house.

Evening dinner at a London boarding house.

 

Women's international 'Ping Pong' match at Queen's Hall in Langham Place. The hall was destroyed in the Blitz some forty years later.

Women’s international ‘Ping Pong’ match at Queen’s Hall in Langham Place. The hall was destroyed in the Blitz some forty years later.

 

Bicycles looked after on a Great Western Railway train at Paddington.

Bicycles looked after on a Great Western Railway train at Paddington.

 

A cycle show at Agricultural Hall in Islington. Gamages was a department store in Holborn.

A cycle show at Agricultural Hall in Islington. Gamages was a department store in Holborn.

 

Sandwich men waiting to be paid in Ham Yard in Soho.

Sandwich men waiting to be paid in Ham Yard in Soho.

Archery in Regent's park.

Archery in Regent’s park.

 

Oxford Street roadworks are nothing new.

Oxford Street roadworks are nothing new.

 

An L.C.C Lodging House in Parker Street in Covent Garden.

An L.C.C Lodging House in Parker Street in Covent Garden.

 

Building the Great Northern and City Railway. It ended up being a while elephant and never used.

Building the Great Northern and City Railway. It ended up being a while elephant and never used.

 

Mansion House, Sloane Square and Shepherd's Bush stations.

Mansion House, Sloane Square and Shepherd’s Bush stations.

 

Waiting for the lifts at Bank Underground.

Waiting for the lifts at Bank Underground.

 

Factory girls fighting in the East End.

Factory girls fighting in the East End.

 

The London City and Midland Bank in Ludgate Hill.

The London City and Midland Bank in Ludgate Hill.

 

The buffet room at Kings Cross station.

The buffet room at Kings Cross station.

 

Inside cover of George R. Sims 'Living London'.

Inside cover of George R. Sims ‘Living London’.

 

Cover of 'Living London'.

Cover of ‘Living London’.

 

 

 

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