London Night and Day

'London Night and Day: a guide to where the other books don't take you' was first published in 1951. It was edited by Sam Lambert and published by the Architectural Press; the quirky, personal style aimed at London’s intellectuals and bohemians. In his introduction Lambert describes London as a hidden and ‘misleading’ city: ‘its charms are hidden round the corner and only to be enjoyed by those who seek them out’. He also sees London as individualistic and non-conformist: ‘Beneath the surface London is the world’s greatest man-hive, not merely in the numbers of citizens ( a meaningless criterion) but in variety of activity… London is the world’s greatest get-together, not so much of types, classes, races, as of individual departures from the norm’.

The book is structured around 24-hours in the life of the city, providing an insiders view on restaurants, shops, night life and sights. It is illustrated by Osbert Lancaster.