30 Striking Photochrom Prints That Capture 1890s London

London in the 1890s was a city of striking contrasts—booming with industrial progress and imperial confidence, yet shadowed by deep social inequalities. The skyline was choked with chimney smoke, the streets bustling with horse-drawn carriages, costermongers, and gas lamps flickering to life at dusk.

Queen Victoria’s reign was nearing its end, and with it came a sense of grandeur and decay. The East End teemed with poverty and overcrowding, while the West End displayed wealth, opulence, and the latest in fashion and culture. It was also the era of the rise of the suffragette movement—a time of innovation, tension, and transformation on the cusp of the modern age.

Below is a collection of striking Photochrom prints showcasing street scenes of London in the 1890s.

London Bridge, London, England, circa 1890s

Hyde Park Corner, London, England, circa 1890s

A yeoman of the guard (Beefeater), London, England, circa 1890s

Albert Monument, London, England, circa 1890s

British Museum, London, England, circa 1890s

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Sex Pistols Live at Notre Dame de France, London in November 1976

The Sex Pistols’ performance at Notre Dame Hall in London on November 15, 1976, stands as a pivotal moment in punk rock history. This event was orchestrated for a television special titled No Fun, produced by Janet Street-Porter for the London Weekend Show. The venue, Notre Dame Hall (also known as Notre Dame de France), located near Leicester Square, provided an intimate setting that captured the raw energy of the burgeoning punk scene.

The audience comprised several individuals who would later become prominent figures in the punk and post-punk movements. Attendees included: Joe Strummer (The Clash), Mick Jones (The Clash), Billy Idol (Generation X), Siouxsie Sioux, Steve Severin, and Kenny Morris (Siouxsie and the Banshees), Viv Albertine (The Slits), Poly Styrene (X-Ray Spex), TV Smith (The Adverts), Shane MacGowan (The Pogues), Vivienne Westwood (fashion designer), Jamie Reid (graphic artist) and Nancy Spungen.

As in 1976, the Sex Pistols weren’t allowed to perform at many venues due to their rebellious nature. However the church hall was allowed to be used by them to play one of their most publicized concerts. The band also returned in 1977 to perform another concert this time it spread Punk rock even further due to the large American media presence, this was also the first concert to feature Sid Vicious.

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Sailors Sleeping Draped Over Ropes in the 19th Century

They’re really hung over. Well, not really. In 19th century England, innkeepers supplied patrons with a “penny hang,” a kind of drying out room. For a penny, innkeppers provided ropes for seamen to sleep on. It was not true sleep, more like a state of exhaustion-induced slumping. In the morning, an attendant would cut the rope to wake the sleepers and clear the space.

In 1832, a Cumbrian Farmer Sold His Wife for 20 Shillings and a Dog

In 1832, a peculiar event unfolded in Carlisle, England Cumbrian farmer, Joseph Thomson, made an unconventional decision, accompanied by his wife, Mary Anne Thomson. His intention? To sell her to “the highest and fairest bidder.”

As documented, Thomson commenced the auction by placing his wife upon a large oak chair, with a straw halter around her neck. His words resonated with a mix of frustration and resignation: “I have to offer to your notice my wife, Mary Anne Thomson... she has been to me only a born serpent.” He delineated her perceived faults, casting her as a “domestic curse” and a “night invasion.”

Yet, amidst the listing of her supposed flaws, Thomson didn’t fail to mention her virtues: “She can read novels and milk cows... she can sing Moore’s melodies and plain her frills and caps.” He even quipped about her expertise in judging spirits, despite her inability to distil them herself.

Initially, Thomson set the price at 50 shillings, but as the hour passed without any takers, he relented, accepting 20 shillings and a Newfoundland dog from the eventual buyer, another farmer named Mr. Henry Mears.

Wife selling in England was a way of ending an unsatisfactory marriage that probably began in the late 17th century, when divorce was a practical impossibility for all but the very wealthiest. After parading his wife with a halter around her neck, arm, or waist, a husband would publicly auction her to the highest bidder. Wife selling provides the backdrop for Thomas Hardy’s 1886 novel The Mayor of Casterbridge, in which the central character sells his wife at the beginning of the story, an act that haunts him for the rest of his life, and ultimately destroys him.

Although the custom had no basis in law and frequently resulted in prosecution, particularly from the mid-19th century onwards, the attitude of the authorities was equivocal. At least one early 19th-century magistrate is on record as stating that he did not believe he had the right to prevent wife sales, and there were cases of local Poor Law Commissioners forcing husbands to sell their wives, rather than having to maintain the family in workhouses.

Wife selling persisted in England in some form until the early 20th century; according to the jurist and historian James Bryce, writing in 1901, wife sales were still occasionally taking place during his time. In one of the last reported instances of a wife sale in England, a woman giving evidence in a Leeds police court in 1913 claimed that she had been sold to one of her husband’s workmates for £1.

Westminster in 1987 Through Fascinating Photos

Westminster is the main settlement of the City of Westminster in Central London, England. It extends from the River Thames to Oxford Street and has many famous landmarks, including the Palace of Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral, Trafalgar Square and much of the West End cultural centre including the entertainment precinct of West End theatre.

With the development of the old palace alongside the abbey, Westminster has been the home of England’s government since about 1200, and from 1707 the Government of the United Kingdom. In 1539, it became a city. Westminster is often used as a metonym to refer to the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which sits in the Palace of Westminster.

These fascinating photos were taken by Peter Marshall that show street scenes of Westminster in 1987.

Travellers, Westway, Bishop's Bridge Rd, Paddington, Westminster, 1987

A Lombardi & Sons, Delicatessen, Churton St, Pimlico, Westminster, 1987

Alley, Burne St, Lisson Grove, Westminster, 1987

Asian Stores Ltd, Dickie Dirts, Khyber Restaurant, Westborne Grove, Westminster, 1987

Barge, Railway Bridge,Regent's Canal, Lisson Grove, Westminster, 1987

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The Beatles’ Members Posing With Their Waxwork Figures at Madame Tussauds London, 1964

On April 29, 1964, The Beatles visit Madame Tussaud’s wax museum in London to see their models, which had been unveiled to the public on March 28. They were the first pop group to appear in the museum.

In 1967, the museum lent the wax figures to artists Peter Blake and Jann Haworth to be used on the cover of The Beatles’ album Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Three of the heads – John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr – used for the cover were rediscovered in 2005 after being lost for nearly two decades, and were auctioned for £81,500.

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Pattie Boyd Showing off a Very Short Dress Named ‘Hoopla’ in London’s West End, 1966

Pattie Boyd returns to modeling for the first time since her marriage to George Harrison. She is pictured in Brook Street, Mayfair, London in April 1966, and showing off a design of the Quorum Autumn Collection, designed by Ossie Clark.

Boyd details her extraordinary modeling career and life in London as the city experienced a cultural revolution: “I knew there was something in the air ... designers like Mary Quant and Ossie Clark came along. Photographers and filmmakers were splashing ahead, artists like David Hockney were doing great things. We inspired them and they inspired us, it was a coming together of very creative people.”

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Charlotte Despard Speaking at Anti-Fascist Rally in Trafalgar Square, London, 1933

In June 1933, 95-year-old Charlotte Despard (1844-1939), a renowned suffragist, socialist, and anti-fascist, delivered a powerful speech at an anti-fascist rally in Trafalgar Square, London.

Despard, suffragette and social worker, was a tireless campaigner. She became a leader of the Militant Suffragette movement with the Pankhursts, and in 1907 she was arrested during the ‘Women’s Parliament’, demonstration and sentenced to three weeks in prison.

In 1908 Despard joined Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington, Margaret Cousins and other feminists to form the Irish Women’s Franchise League. She urged members to boycott the 1911 Census and withhold taxes and provided financial support to workers during the 1913 Dublin lock-out.

She settled in Dublin after World War I and was a supporter of Éamon de Valera, remaining bitterly critical of her brother, now Field Marshal the Earl of Ypres, but they were later reconciled.

During the Irish War of Independence, together with Maud Gonne and others, she formed the Women's Prisoners’ Defence League to support republican prisoners. She was classed as a dangerous subversive under the 1927 Public Safety Act by the Irish Free State government for her opposition to the Anglo-Irish Treaty and her house was occasionally raided by the authorities.

In 1930, Despard toured the Soviet Union to look at workers’ conditions there. Impressed with what she saw, she joined the Communist Party of Great Britain, and became secretary of the Friends of Soviet Russia organization. In 1933 her house in Dublin was burned down by an anti-communist mob. She met and was photographed with the Indian independence leader Subhas Chandra Bose when he visited Ireland in 1936.

She remained actively political well into her 80s and 90s, giving anti-fascist speeches in the likes of Trafalgar Square in the 1930s. She was also guest of honor at the Reading branch of the Women’s Freedom League, of which she had been the first president, celebrating her 89th birthday, held in Anna Munro's garden at Venturefair, Aldermaston It was reported that “Mrs. Despard had lost but little of her youthful vigor, clarity of speech and clearness of vision.” In her speech, she said that much had been achieved and quoted a Catholic priest who called women 'the basic force of the world' but noted that women “still did not have the equality with men that there should be as regards the right to work,” and went on to condemn slums and poverty (quoting Lenin) and condemned fascism and hatred. She urged women to act to help “realize the worth of the human being, take life out of bondage all over the world.”

She died, aged 95, after a fall at her new house, Nead-na-Gaoithe, Whitehead, County Antrim, near Belfast in November 1939. She was buried in the Republican Plot at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin.

The Story of Ida and Louise Cook, the British Sisters Who Helped Jewish Refugees Escape Nazi Germany in the 1930s

Ida and Louise Cook were two remarkable British sisters who became unsung heroines of World War II for their efforts in rescuing Jews from Nazi persecution. Their story is one of bravery, resourcefulness, and determination.

Ida (1904–1986) and Louise (1901–1991) were raised in England and lived relatively ordinary lives. Ida was a civil servant and later a successful romantic novelist, writing under the pen name Mary Burchell. Louise worked as a secretary. Their passion for opera led them to travel across Europe, attending performances and befriending famous singers.

As their opera connections expanded, they became acquainted with Austrian conductor Clemens Krauss and his wife, soprano Viorica Ursuleac. Through them, the sisters learned of the desperate plight of Jewish musicians and intellectuals trying to escape the Nazis.

Realizing they could help, Ida and Louise devised an ingenious plan. They used their trips to Nazi-controlled countries as a cover, smuggling valuables (such as jewelry and furs) out of Germany to help Jewish refugees meet Britain's financial requirements for entry. Their middle-class English appearances helped them avoid suspicion, allowing them to act as couriers and intermediaries.

The sisters ultimately helped around 29 Jews escape Nazi persecution, personally ensuring their safe passage to Britain.

After the war, Ida continued her writing career, and both sisters lived relatively quietly. Their heroic efforts were later recognized, and in 1965, they were honored as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial. Their story remains a testament to the power of ordinary people standing up against injustice.

Ida later wrote a memoir, We Followed Our Stars, detailing their courageous efforts. Their legacy serves as an inspiration, proving that small acts of bravery can make a significant difference.

A Group of Roller Skating Friends Pose for a Photo, England, 1926

In 1926, a group of roller-skating friends in England gathered for a photograph, capturing a joyful moment during the height of the Roaring Twenties. With laughter and camaraderie, they showcased a popular pastime that brought people together in an era of excitement and change.

By the early 20th century, roller skating had become a favorite recreational activity across England and beyond. Skating rinks were opening in cities and towns, offering a lively space for social gatherings, music, and fun. Outdoor skating was just as popular, with promenades and smooth streets providing the perfect setting for skaters to glide along, enjoying the fresh air and freedom of movement.

The young friends in the photograph would have been dressed in the latest 1920s styles. Women likely wore elegant flapper-style dresses, featuring flowing fabrics and intricate beading, along with their fashionable bobbed hairstyles. Men might have sported smart suits, complete with ties and hats, or opted for more relaxed attire suitable for an afternoon of skating. Their roller skates, typically made of sturdy leather with metal wheels, represented the best in skating technology at the time.

The 1920s were an era of cultural transformation, with new forms of entertainment sweeping across England. Jazz music, dance halls, and motion pictures were captivating young people, and roller skating fit perfectly into this energetic lifestyle. It provided an opportunity to exercise, socialize, and express individuality through graceful movements and daring tricks.

Amazing Vintage Photographs Show British Children Living in a Shanty Town Laughing and Playing in the 1950s

The photos, believed to be located in Kent, remind us of simpler times when children scuffed their knees and got their hands dirty instead of being cramped up indoors. Shot in 1950, the photographs were captured in the aftermath of a world war that crippled Britain financially

The people who live in this shamble of shacks and caravans earn their living, such as it is, by working on the farms of Kent during the season, and in the hop fields during the short hop harvest. The children go to local schools, when they go to school at all.

Many of the owners who live in “caravan row” have been on the same site between ten and twenty years, and the accumulated rubbish litters the space where the children play behind their homes.

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Princess Elizabeth and Margaret Aboard a Converted Motor Torpedo Boat Used by the Sea Rangers, 1944

In July 1944, during the height of World War II, Princess Elizabeth (the future Queen Elizabeth II) and her younger sister Princess Margaret were photographed aboard a converted motor torpedo boat at Dartmouth, Devon. At this time, both princesses were actively involved in supporting the war effort, with Princess Elizabeth already serving as a full-time member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), while Princess Margaret, although younger, also found ways to contribute.

Princess Margaret was dressed in the uniform of the Sea Rangers, a voluntary youth organization that was part of the British Auxiliary Forces during the war. The Sea Rangers provided vital support roles, assisting in a variety of tasks related to naval and civilian duties. This moment aboard the torpedo boat was a symbolic one, highlighting the royal family's active involvement in the wartime efforts, as well as their willingness to support and stand with the people of Britain during the challenging times of the war.

The photo captures a rare moment of the royal sisters outside their more traditional duties, offering a glimpse into their lives as they matured into roles of service and responsibility. This moment, set against the backdrop of a nation at war, further cements their deep connection with the British public. Princess Elizabeth’s commitment to the ATS and Princess Margaret’s engagement with the Sea Rangers demonstrated their dedication to the war effort, reinforcing the monarchy's symbolic strength and resilience during a time of great national hardship.

Here’s another fascinating photographs of Princess Margaret in Sea Rangers uniform in 1944:

Rare Photographs of Jayne Mansfield in Blackpool in 1959

A set of rediscovered photographs show a Hollywood sex symbol at one of Blackpool’s most missed attractions. In September 1959, screen star Jayne Mansfield was invited to the seaside resort to switch on its world famous illuminations. The actress traveled to the resort with her husband Mickey Hartigay and her eight year old daughter from her first marriage, Jayne Marie, and eight month old son, Miklos.

During her time in the town, she posed for the cameras at Blackpool’s beautiful and much missed open air swimming pool. Thought at one time to be the largest pool in the world, the stunning swimmers paradise first opened at the edge of Blackpool’s golden sands in 1923. The pool’s oval shaped perimeter enclosed around a 376 foot long and 170 foot wide D shaped pool which was filled with 1.6 million gallons of treated sea water. Despite being a popular and stunning addition to Blackpool’s seafront for most of its 60-years, it closed in 1981 and was demolished two-years later with the Sandcastle Waterpark now standing in its place.

Tragically, Jayne Mansfield died just eight years later in a car crash in New Orleans aged just 34. Although her life and film career was short-lived, she had several box-office successes and won a Golden Globe Award in 1957.

The full set of photos showing Jayne Mansfield at the lost open air pool were recently discovered in the Mirrorpix archives, some of which are included in the gallery below.

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