Street Life in London in 1877 - amazing social documentary photos

[retro ruth]

13 amazing candid photos from 1877

See them all here: http://www.theguardian.com/artandde...graphy-london-street-life-in-london?CMP=fb_gu

Never seen or heard of a hat like these, like a tall bowler hat. It features in several pictures. Anyone know what it's called?

 

[Midge]

How interesting!

Karin

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

I have never seen a hat like that either. Interesting photos, Ruth.

 

[Jonathan]

I believe it is a bowler, it's just a tall bowler. My understanding is that the bowler was a favourite of the middle class - merchants etc., so it would make sense street venders would wear them, to present themselves better. I find the elevated shoe interesting in the first pic too!

 

[sewingmachinegirl]

Fabulous- and these are all also in a book I have, called Victorian London Street Life should anyone want to track it down!

 

[retro ruth]

I believe it is a bowler, it's just a tall bowler. My understanding is that the bowler was a favourite of the middle class - merchants etc., so it would make sense street venders would wear them, to present themselves better. I find the elevated shoe interesting in the first pic too!

I noticed that shoe as well, I suppose he has one shorter leg. The caption for that pic is 'A Street Doctor'.

In picture 8 the fish sellers are wearing the tall bowlers too.

 

[retro ruth]

Fabulous- and these are all also in a book I have, called Victorian London Street Life should anyone want to track it down!

sounds like one to add to the book shop.

 

[sewingmachinegirl]

Here is the link to the reprint version Ruth- its a brilliant book!
http://www.amazon.com/Victorian-London-Street-Historic-Photographs/dp/0486281213

 

[Pinkcoke]

I noticed that shoe as well, I suppose he has one shorter leg. The caption for that pic is 'A Street Doctor'.

It could be a number of other things, but he probably had Polio at some time in his past. (I used to work with a lady who had Polio as a child, and still wears these shoes) You could also guess that this is why he street selling rather than a manual job.

I can't imagine that harp resonated very well being played on the hard ground!