Fleet Street, c.1894

Original description by George Birch in 1894

Fleet Street, noted for its literary associations, is one of the busiest streets in London. It runs from Ludgate Circus to The Strand. The Fleet, once a brook, now a sewer, from which it takes its name, flows through Holborn Valley and empties into the Thames at Blackfriars Bridge. The debtors’ prison, where “Fleet Marriages” were performed (described so well by Besant in “The Chaplain of the Fleet”), once stood in the neighbourhood. The names of Shakespeare, Ben Johnson, Dryden, Goldsmith, &c., come to the recollection as one traverse Fleet Street, where there is still much literary work done, and where there are several important newspaper and publishing offices.

Other observations

Some of the signs read: PRESS DAIRY COMPY, Milk tea coffee, Hats 16/6, Office upper part to let Wood & Spink, Chas Baker & Co Stores, Outfits 25/-.

Geolocation

Subject at centre of picture: TQ 3152 8117 approx.
Camera position: TQ 3141 8117 approx. See Google Street View
Camera height: standing on step ladder or cart.

There is a fairly compressed perspective, indicating use of a long focal length lens. Note position of the top of the spire of St Martin’s-within-Ludgate relative to the dome of St. Paul’s.

View direction: E
View angle: ??° approx.
Focal length (35mm equiv): ??mm approx.

Nearest similar geograph

Taken too close to St. Paul’s to match:

The bridge seen across the street in the 1894 photo is presumably that shown here crossing Ludgate Hill:

Technical information

See here.