JF Ptak Science Books Post 1413
I just wanted to share these films that I found at the British Film Institute’s youtube account. They are remarkable, clear, fluid images of London in 1903/1913 or thereabouts, offering a slice of relatively unrehearsed life from 100 years ago that is so unexpected. They are visual time capsules, beautifully restored by the BFI–they are like moving picture versions of sumptuous platinum prints, with gorgeous detail in each frame, so lovely that they look as though they could withstand micro inspection.
The first: London, 1903:
Blackfriar’s Bridge, 1896–very short, but again, another remarkable piece of moving history…if only there was sound.
Trafalgar Square Riot for Mrs. Pankhurst, 1913:
Petticoat Lane, a semi-ancient marketplace east of Central London, showing a common look to common folk buying and selling common stuff, 1903: