Observer picture archive: Old Bill the beggar, 11 May 1969

Celebrated for her portraiture, Jane Bown was also a passionate street photographer.

This image was used as a standalone photograph on page 5 of the Observer on 11 May 1969, with the following caption:

Mr William East – known as “Old Bill” – plays the gramophone in London’s streets. His records range from Songs of the Western Front, played by Nat Star and his band, to Bach’s Air on a G String. When the traffic is heavy it is difficult to hear them. Mr East, who is 77, has pink cheeks, blue eyes and a gingery-grey moustache: he blows out his cheeks when changing a record. He has two half-pennies in his cap and keeps his First World War medals, and his last war defence medal, polished. Mr East says that before taking up the gramophone, he worked a s a street-cleaner for Hammersmith Borough Council. But his right hand and wrist were badly injured when he picked up a sack of broken milk bottles.

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selected by Greg Whitmore, Observer picture editor

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