London’s River — de Maré, Bodley Head 1964

📖 London’s River: The Story of a City by Eric de Maré (1964, The Bodley Head) — A chronicle of London’s development from prehistoric settlement to the 1960s, told through the life of the River Thames. This first edition features line drawings by Heather Copley and Christopher Chamberlain. Ex-library copy with dust jacket.

QUICK FACTS

• Author: Eric de Maré (1910–2002), Swedish-born British architectural photographer and writer
• Publisher: The Bodley Head, London
• Year: 1964 (First edition)
• Format: Hardcover with dust jacket
• Pages: 127 | ISBN: None (pre-ISBN era)
• Condition: Book: Very Good- to Very Good / Dust Jacket: Good+ to Very Good- — full report below

THE STORY

Eric de Maré traces the historical evolution of London through the vital pathway of the River Thames, from the earliest Roman engineers seeking a place to bridge the river, through medieval spires, Tudor palaces, Stuart upheaval, Georgian expansion, and Victorian steam and sewers, to the modern city. The narrative follows nine chronological chapters — from “Before the Buildings” to “Today and Tomorrow” — making it both a historical survey and a guide to the Thames’s role in shaping one of the world’s great cities.

De Maré was described by The Guardian as “the finest architectural photographer of the mid-20th century.” Born in London of Swedish parents, he was educated at St Paul’s School and the Architectural Association, and served as acting editor of the Architects’ Journal. His other Thames-related works include London’s Riverside (1958) and Time on the Thames, reflecting a lifelong fascination with England’s waterways. His photographs are held in the English Heritage Archive and the Courtauld Institute’s Conway Library.

THIS EDITION

Published by The Bodley Head at 10 Earlham Street, London WC2, this first edition was printed and bound in Great Britain by William Clowes and Sons Ltd, Beccles, set in Monophoto Baskerville typeface. The original dust jacket retained the published price of 25s net. This copy is an ex-library edition from P.S. 3 School Library, with stamp, Dewey Decimal annotation (942.1), and card pocket on the front endpapers.

COVER ART & ILLUSTRATIONS

The dust jacket features a detailed black-and-white illustration of the River Thames flowing through London, rendered in a style reminiscent of historical engravings. The design uses a deep olive-green background with the title in warm orange lettering, framed by an ornate heraldic border at the top. The book’s endpapers are decorated with red-and-white line drawings of waterfront scenes. Interior illustrations by Heather Copley and Christopher Chamberlain are based on contemporary prints, drawings, and publications from de Maré’s collection, including maps and architectural views spanning each historical period.

WHY IT MATTERS

• Eric de Maré is recognized as one of the most important British architectural photographers of the 20th century — The Daily Telegraph called him “one of the most notable photographers of his time”
• The book covers London’s complete history through its relationship with the Thames — from Roman Londinium to the 1960s — making it a useful reference for anyone studying London’s urban development
• First edition Bodley Head copies with intact dust jackets are increasingly scarce; the ex-library provenance adds historical character

FREQUENTLY ASKED

What edition is this? First edition, published 1964 by The Bodley Head, London. Not price-clipped. Printed and bound in Great Britain by William Clowes and Sons Ltd.

What condition is it in? Book is Very Good- to Very Good; dust jacket is Good+ to Very Good- with edge wear, rubbing, small tears, and a section of paper loss across the spine panel and spine head — full report below.

Is this a children’s book? The Library of Congress classifies it as juvenile literature, but the content is a thorough historical survey suitable for adult readers interested in London history and architecture.

FOR COLLECTORS

This is a clean first edition of de Maré’s complete history of London through the Thames, with all 127 pages intact and illustrations by Copley and Chamberlain throughout. The ex-library markings (P.S. 3 School Library) are confined to the front endpapers and do not affect the text block. A useful title for collectors of Eric de Maré’s waterway-focused works alongside The Canals of England (1950), Bridges of Britain (1954), and London’s Riverside (1958).

Book Details: Very Good- (VG-)/Very Good (VG) condition. Blue boards remain clean with clear gilt titling to the spine. Light bumping at the spine ends. Rear board outer edge has two small scuffs revealing underlying board near lower corner, and some light, surface abrasions along the bottom edge.

Dust Jacket: Good+ (G+)/Very Good- (VG-). Unclipped dust jacket shows edge wear, rubbing, small tears, and a section of paper loss across the spine panel and spine head.

Text Block & Pages: Lightly age-toned throughout with clean, crisp interior pages. Includes an ex-library stamp and attached checkout pocket on the front endpapers. Sound, square, and tight binding with solid hinges. No writing (aside from library marks previously mentioned), no loose, torn or folded pages.

See accompanying images for full condition details.

Will ship promptly, carefully packaged.

HFB-SEO-v1: 2026-08-14

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