The year before WW1 broke out, a photographer climbed into an early aircraft to photograph London from the air. Given the limitations of cameras and unreliable aircraft at the time, I think the results are outstanding.
(Unfortunately, the photos cannot be enlarged.)
St Paul’s Cathedral.
The Tower of London, and Tower Bridge.
Trafalgar Square.
The Houses of Parliament and Westminster Bridge.
The Tower of London and St Katherine’s Dock.
Bank Junction, City of London.
Buckingham Palace and The Mall.
The pool of London. The docks, and Tower Bridge.
Covent Garden Market.
beetleypete 
Indeed a very big city. Very outstanding! Thanks for sharing, Pete! xx Michael
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Thanks, Michael.
Best wishes, Pete.
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You’re welcome, Pete! xx Michael
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Yes, outstanding!
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I thought so, because the quality just shone out of those images.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes it really did! Best to you, Pete.
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Wonderful photos, Pete!
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I thought so too. Thanks, Susanne.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Marvelous!
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Glad you enjoyed them, Don.
Best wishes, Pete.
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1913? Jeez, talk about brass balls awards. For the pilot and the photog! Great stuff.
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I thought so too. Thanks, Phil.
Best wishes, Pete.
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FYI I have a software program that enlarges images. Doesn’t fix focus issues but will definitely extrapolate pixels for larger prints.
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These photos are remarkably clear, given how they were taken.
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I agree, Liz. That’s why I was so impressed by them.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Did anyone ever take similar photos from a hot air balloon?
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Yes they did, David. The first ever aerial photo was taken from a hot-air balloon in America. It was an image of Boston, taken in 1860.
Best wishes, Pete.
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stunning, to think the aeroplane was less than a decade old. I’m trying to think where the aircraft would have taken off/ landed. They were microlights in those days so any park nearby. They would have had short range. I notice no high rise buildings & less traffic.
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The home counties are a short and manageable return flight from London, even in 1913. It could have easily come from any of those. The lack of high-rise buildings makes London look so much more attractive to me.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Love seeing this collection of images from back in the day…and up high. Thanks for sharing them, Pete.
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My pleasure, Bruce. As a Londoner, they really felt evocative of an era.
Best wishes, Pete.
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They are really great and it’s always good to remember how it was. Black and white can be very effective.
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Considering they are 109 years old, I think they have held up marvellously, Carolyn.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Such a terrific collection of vintage photos!
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Thanks, John. I loved these old photos.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Some of these don’t look much different to today’s views.
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No high-rise buildings though. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Not only outstanding, they look “real.” Thank you for sharing these. Warmest regards, Ed
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So glad you agree, and enjoyed them.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Excellent pictures.
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Thanks, Robbie. I did enjoy these.
Best wishes, Pete.
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