These amazing pictures were taken by Allan Hailstone on various visits to London in the 1950s, back when the city was bouncing back from the horrors of the Second World War.
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| Piccadilly and Piccadilly Circus, February 1956 |
These images show a busy and vibrant post-war capital city at a time that Hailstone recalls as being 'magical'. From the bright lights of the West End to the lost theatres and smog in the air, the very essence of London was clearly captured by Hailstone's keen eyes.
These fascinating photographs below are a selection from the 120 that feature in Hailstone's book 'London: Portrait of a City 1950-1962'. For more amazing vintage pictures, visit Hailstone's brilliant Flickr site.
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| Prince Monolulu, Petticoat Lane (Middlesex Street), 11 July 1954 |
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| Petticoat Lane, 25 July 1954 |
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| In a London park, 31 July 1954 |
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| Leicester Square, 11 April 1955 |
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| Leicester Square, 11 April 1955 |
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| Near St. Martin's in the Fields Church, 11 April 1955 |
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| Charing Cross Road, 1 August 1955 |
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| Piccadilly Circus, 2 August 1955 |
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| Piccadilly Circus, 2 August 1955 |
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| St. Giles High Street, 1 August 1955 |
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| Trafalgar Square and Strand, 1 August 1955 |
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| 2 August 1955 |
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| Wapping Station, 5 November 1955 |
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| Charing Cross Road, 5 November 1955 |
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| Tower Hill, 5 November 1955 |
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| Trafalgar Square, 5 November 1955 |
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| 5 November 1955 |
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| Charing Cross Road at Cambridge Circus, 5 November 1955 |
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| London Pavilion cinema, 30 July 1956 |
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| Underground station, probably Leicester Square, 3 January 1957 |
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| Warner Cinema, Cranbourn Street, 3 January 1957 |
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| Leicester Square, mid-1957 |
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| Astoria Theatre (cinema), Charing Cross Road, mid-1957 |
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| Charlie Gracie posing for promotional photos, 5 August 1957 |
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| The London to Brighton run, Hyde Park, 3 November 1957 |
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| Balloons in Regent Street, 28 November 1957 |