Charles Skilton’s London Life
Click here to book for my tours through July, August and September
Now that the summer visitors are here and thronging in the capital’s streets and transport systems, I thought I would send you this fine set of postcards published by Charles Skilton, including my special favourites the escapologist and the pavement artist.
Looking at these monochrome images of the threadbare postwar years, you might easily imagine the photographs were earlier – but Margaret Rutherford in ‘Ring Round the Moon’ at The Globe in Shaftesbury Ave in number nine dates them to 1950. Celebrated in his day as publisher of the Billy Bunter stories, Charles Skilton won posthumous notoriety for his underground pornographic publishing empire, Luxor Press.
You may also like to take a look at
The picture of the Guardsman is interesting as people are being allowed to touch his horse. I wonder if this was staged, as recent footage has shown this is not permitted and there are notices displayed warning the horses may bite.
OK, the gentleman drawing on the sidewalk? — My empathy is raging and I need to take him to lunch. My heart aches to see his overcoat sweeping the ground, and his very modest hat beside him as he works. No, sir — Let’s go off for a very hearty meal, I can hear the story of his life, and I
will make a suitable donation to the arts. This is a life story that I NEED to hear.
The Flower Seller photo is wonderful, noble and full of dignity.