London A to Z

First published in 1953, the year that saw thousands descend on London to watch the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, this is a lexicon of the city's curiosities, from the Achilles statue in Hyde Park 'erected by the women of England to honour (if not to resemble) the Duke of Wellington', to zebra crossings (relative newcomers to London in 1953).

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First published in 1953, the year that saw thousands descend on London to watch the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, London A to Z is a lexicon of the city's curiosities, from the Achilles statue in Hyde Park 'erected by the women of England to honour (if not to resemble) the Duke of Wellington', via greyhound racing, lost property offices and umbrellas, to zebra crossings (relative newcomers to London in 1953). Adorned throughout with Edward Bawden's beautiful and distinctive illustrations, this charmingly idiosyncratic guide brings to life with a dry humour the London and Londoners of the day.

More than sixty years have passed since it was first published and while many sights are now lost to time, you may be surprised to find how this vintage guide continues to capture London in all its uniqueness. The new introduction places the original publication in context, drawing the reader into 1950s London via a tour of the book's most curious, nostalgic and whimsical entries.