London Labour and the London Poor. Vol I. London Street-Folk, Henry Mayhew

£60.00

London Labour and the London Poor. Vol I. London Street-Folk, Henry Mayhew

Name: London Labour and the London Poor. Vol I. London Street-Folk, Henry Mayhew
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5921
Price: 60.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Charles Griffin and Company, [c. 1864]

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [iv], 492.

Condition Report: Good. The publisher's original blind-stamped plum cloth remains structurally sound, though there is evident rubbing to the extremities, with notable fraying to the cloth at the head and tail of the spine and slight wear to the corners. The gilt tooling of the crossing sweeper to the front board remains remarkably bright and unoxidised, though the spine gilt has dulled slightly with age and the cloth on the spine is faded. Internally, the binding is relatively tight. The preliminary pages exhibit scattered foxing, and the leaves show occasional handling marks, small smudges, and light age-toning, which is typical of the paper stock of the period. Overall, it is a respectable, intact copy of a volume that was frequently read.

Catalogue Note: This is the first volume of Henry Mayhew's monumental and groundbreaking sociological survey, presented in the publisher's original cloth. Issued in the mid-1860s, this printing followed the earlier Griffin, Bohn & Co. edition, utilising the same text and striking illustrations. Notably, the volume features numerous full-page wood-engraved plates based on photographs by Richard Beard, which bring the harsh reality of the Victorian streets to life.

While complete sets of Mayhew's work are highly sought after by institutions and private collectors alike, single volumes such as this remain an excellent entry point for collectors of Victorian sociology or those looking to complete a broken set. The front board bears the iconic, bright gilt vignette of a crossing sweeper, a classic staple of mid-Victorian publisher's bindings.

A cornerstone of investigative journalism and sociological research, Henry Mayhew's London Labour and the London Poor offers an unflinching, granular look at the lives of the Victorian working class. Initially published as a series of newspaper articles before being compiled into volumes, this work documents the daily struggles, bizarre trades, and vibrant street culture of 19th-century London. Mayhew's vivid prose, combined with direct interviews with costermongers, street-sweepers, and mudlarks, creates an unparalleled tapestry of the capital's underbelly. It remains an essential and profoundly moving record of the people who fuelled the British Empire from its gutters.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: Henry Mayhew

Book Publisher: Charles Griffin and Company

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: History

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages: 492

Book Publication Year: 1864

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Richard Beard

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

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Condition	Description
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Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
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