Victoria station Bookstall

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Victoria station Bookstall

The Victoria (main line) station Bookstall on the day that Captain Bruce Bairnsfathers More Fragments from France was launched
1916

Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries

Media ID 14184632

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Bookstall Stall

EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the bustling atmosphere of Victoria Station in London on a historic day in 1916. The focus of the scene is the Main Line Bookstall, where a crowd of eager readers and soldiers have gathered to purchase a newly released book. The title of the book, "More Fragments from France" by Captain Bruce Bairnsfather, is prominently displayed on a banner above the stall. The First World War was in full swing, and the publication of this book was a significant event for the soldiers at the front and those on the home front. Captain Bairnsfather was a British cartoonist and soldier, who gained fame for his satirical drawings depicting the daily life and struggles of soldiers in the trenches. "More Fragments from France" was the sequel to his popular first collection, "Fragments from France," which had been published in 1915. The photograph shows the excitement and anticipation of the crowd as they wait their turn to purchase the new book. Some soldiers are seen holding their helmets and rifles, while others are dressed in civilians clothes. Women and children are also present, demonstrating the wide appeal of Captain Bairnsfather's work. The bookstall itself is a hive of activity, with books being handed out to customers and money being exchanged. The bookseller, dressed in a brown apron and hat, is busy ringing up sales and packing books for customers. The scene is a testament to the power of literature to bring comfort, entertainment, and connection to people in times of hardship and uncertainty. This photograph is a poignant reminder of the role that books and reading played during the First World War, and the enduring appeal of Captain Bairnsfather's work. It also offers a glimpse into the daily life of Victoria Station during wartime, and the sense of community and shared experience that it provided for those passing through.

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