Libby Hall, Photographer
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When Libby Hall (1941-2023) was a press photographer in the sixties, based in Clerkenwell and travelling back and forth from her home in Clapton, she occasionally photographed her immediate surroundings as a diversion from her daily work. Yet half a century later these almost inconsequential outtakes have transformed into a powerful evocation of a lost era.
Libby Hall’s desk In Farringdon Rd
‘These photographs were mostly just lens tests, or moments of light that appealed to me on my journeys back and forth to work as a press photographer. The bookstalls were immediately across the street from the newspaper I worked for. I do miss those wonderful bookstalls even though they used up a considerable chunk of my then meagre wages. It was impossible to pass by without having a look – but then what treasures there were to be found!’ – Libby Hall
Looking down onto Farringdon Rd
Looking across to Turnmills St, Clerkenwell Session House and Booth’s Gin Distillery
Bookstalls in Farringdon Rd
Farringdon Station
Liverpool St Station
Clapton Station
Photographs copyright © Estate of Libby Hall
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I own all of Libby Hall’s books and I’d been in contact with her not too long before she died. She was a very special person….
Powerful indeed. I particularly like the ones of the chaps in hats perusing the stalls for a book on their way home from work. I imagine them sitting in front of the fire escaping into a land of murders and Detectives after a hard days slog over a ledger.
I loved the one showing proper benches at Liv st station .
Brought back memories .
Andy x
Proper good pics every single one.
I used to vist libby regularly a very kind ladie but her pictures wyll live on
Below Clapton Station is Belsize Road