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Jeffrey Johnson’s Favourite Spots

April 30, 2021
by the gentle author

Enigmatic Photographer Jeffrey Johnson deposited a stack of his appealing pictures from the seventies and eighties with Archivist Stefan Dickers at the Bishopsgate Institute, including these photos of favourite spots in London. I cannot resist the feeling that Jeffrey is one after my own heart when I examine these characterful pictures of the capital’s forgotten corners.

Apostal’s

Buitifull Buttons

Arlington Way, N1

Broadway Market

Commercial Rd

Royal Exchange, City of London

Royal Exchange, City of London

King’s Cross

King’s Cross

King’s Cross

King’s Cross

King’s Cross

Teeth bought

Brick Lane

Barter St, Holborn

Great Ormond St, Bloomsbury

Little Montague Court, City of London

St Bartholomew’s Close, Smithfield

Albion Buildings

Alderney Rd

Photographs copyright © Jeffrey Johnson

You may also like to take a look at

The Forgotten Corners of Old London

Around Billingate Market

Mystery Pictures of Brick Lane

Dennis Anthony’s Petticoat Lane

Geoff Perrior, Photographer

10 Responses leave one →
  1. April 30, 2021

    Feeling a huge swell of nostalgia looking at these photographs. Inspiring me to grab camera
    and get out there in my area to capture memories before they go forever. Thank you for posting these images and to Jeffrey Johnson for taking them.

  2. Juliet Wrightson permalink
    April 30, 2021

    Who and where is that elegant fellow (last photograph) and is he still there?

  3. Kelly Holman permalink
    April 30, 2021

    Another wonderful collection of photographs with new curiosities to discover at every look, thank you. It is great that they have a home at the Bishopsgate Institute and we can see them here.

    ‘Teeth Bought’ reminded me rather chillingly of Fantine in Les Miserables.

  4. April 30, 2021

    Very beautiful city corners — one can assume that much of it has disappeared by now.

    Love & Peace
    ACHIM

  5. Jennifer Newbold permalink
    April 30, 2021

    Thought provoking pictures. I don’t know who Bill Mayo might have been, but you certainly couldn’t miss his establishment–canny!

    I’m intrigued by the photographs of the building in King’s Cross. I presume it was some sort of industrial building (I also imagine that it’s no longer there) but I’m curious to find out what it was for. It appears to be holding up the building across the street so that the other building won’t fall on it!

    It also makes me wonder why I’ve never seen any photographs of gas rings outside of London. I think once upon a time there was one in Queens, NY… but I’m not certain. I’ll have to go do some research.

  6. paul loften permalink
    April 30, 2021

    I would have loved to browsed at Apostal’s . I am certain I would have found that special something that i have been after for years. Only, if I could have squeezed through the entrance ! Thank you and Stefan for these long forgotten corners

  7. Dave R permalink
    April 30, 2021

    Splendid set. I remember may of these loci. Chalk’s Timber Merchants is on the Commercial Road near the junction with Whitechapel High Street rather than King’s X, and the building is still there, albeit enduring a new life as a solicitors’ office and some chi-chi mews flats.

  8. paul loften permalink
    April 30, 2021

    That’s Kings Cross as it was in the 80’s and 90’s. The gasometer as seen from the roads off the Goods Way. Near the Battle Bridge Road. It was a maze of cobbled streets leading nowhere but back to st Pancras Way. The blocks at the back where the local community lived were to be demolished and the residents were gradually forced out Many were artists and musicians. Some were squatters , Some were grateful for the compensation from the council some were not and the squatters got squat. Although I think some long term squatters did get some compensation Indeed it was a right old battle ! I remember the banners hanging from the balconies. I would walk up the stoney old stairs and get invited inside The whole area was gradually bulldozed. I know that the lucky ones who got the compensation moved on to much posher places. I haven’t been back there for years since I retired from my job , I am frightened to see it now

  9. April 30, 2021

    Love these.

  10. May 1, 2021

    Any idea what film Jeffrey Johnson was using?…They look softer than Kodachrome transparencies so maybe prints from colour negatives?

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