Comments on: Libby Hall’s Outtakes

By: paul and keren rennie

paul and keren rennie — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 16:43:30 +0000

I remember the Farringdon Road book market from the early 1990s. Amazing that it lasted that long. What and when, I wonder, were the origins of the market? I guess the proximity to printers and type setters etc
I love the lovely sign-mixture picture by Libby, a wonderful expression of the visual energy of the street and shops

By: Cherub

Cherub — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 14:46:19 +0000

A wonderful collection of black and white photographs. I was studying the ads outside the shops and remember my mother reading Reveille magazine.

By: Paul Adderley

Paul Adderley — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 13:30:53 +0000

It surprises me that no bookseller has ever attempted to revive the Farringdon Book Market. Is there anything actually stopping it happening today?

By: Clive McDonald

Clive McDonald — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 13:34:37 +0000

The bookstall shots have a particular resonance. Remember browsing the stalls in ’67. Actually bought a book on one occasion, and still have it. Not pictured here but are the flower sellers still there outside the entrance to Farringdon Station? Like the photographs, memories don’t change thank goodness.

By: Jennifer Newbold

Jennifer Newbold — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 13:05:24 +0000

There used to be bookstalls along Central Park in New York City, but I doubt there are today. I bought my first volume of William Blake at one of them in 1990.

In the penultimate photo above, is that… a facade?!

By: Ros

Ros — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 11:34:41 +0000

About these wonderful photos I can only quote Libby herself – “it is impossible to pass by without having a look – and then what treasures there are to be found!” There are details galore to pore over and so much remembrance of time past. If there was an exhibition, perhaps jointly of Libby’s and her husband Tony’s evocative photos of the London of their time, I’d go like a shot.

By: Eve

Eve — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 09:21:15 +0000

..nice peering back into sixties Farringdon – no traffic, crowds coffee/bistro chains, only small scale office & retail spaces (with enterprising bookseller stalls) – ah so very British !

By: achim

achim — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 07:42:29 +0000

Wonderful “test pictures” from Libby Hall’s archive. The bookstalls were a pleasure to be viewed today! — I know such “accidentally” taken moments from everyday life myself, as I also have my camera with me all day (NO “smartphone”!). The results, especially with time distance, are often admirable…

Love & Peace
ACHIM

By: Wilma

Wilma — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 07:35:07 +0000

A completely different skyline around Farringdon. And all those marvellous shop fronts.
The one by Farringdon station with a curved glass corner window…
All gone now.
The ‘Read your weight’ machine on Clapton station platform! Can’t believe we had those then!
Marvellous post.

By: Jenny Ridgwell

Jenny Ridgwell — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 06:20:24 +0000

What a brilliant collection of photos – will there be an exhibition?