The London Boardmen 1877

John Thomson made this albumen silver print, titled "The London Boardmen," in the late 19th century. Thomson’s image encapsulates the rigid class structure of Victorian England. The “sandwich board men” were a common sight on the streets of London. Often impoverished, they were paid meagerly to advertise products or services by wearing heavy boards. Thomson’s photographs were intended to highlight the social issues of his time. He captured images of individuals often overlooked by society, inviting viewers to reflect on the lives of the working class. To fully appreciate "The London Boardmen," we need to delve into the social history of London. This includes analyzing the economic conditions that forced individuals into such labor. Scholarly articles, historical archives, and sociological studies can give us a better understanding of the piece. Through this research, the photograph functions as a visual document of a specific moment in London's past.