Holborn, London 1961

This authentic 1960s colour photograph captures the historic atmosphere of Holborn in 1961, marking the boundary where the West End meets the City of London. To the right stands the Grade II* listed Royal Fusiliers War Memorial, a bronze figure of a soldier unveiled in 1922 to commemorate the 22,000 members of the City of London Regiment who fell in the First World War. Dominating the centre are the iconic timber-framed buildings of Staple Inn, a Grade I listed landmark that survived the Great Fire but required extensive post-war restoration following Luftwaffe damage. At street level, the storefronts include “Good Fayre (City) Ltd” and the traditional green facade of Maynards Toffee Makers. Visible overhead are the overhead trolleybus wires, a technology nearing its end in the capital during this decade. The scene is completed by a classic black Austin taxi and the proximity of Chancery Lane Underground station just out of frame. This digital download is a magnificent record of London’s architectural heritage, perfect to print for yourself as a piece of evocative vintage wall art.