Tour company Liquid History hope to raise £5,000 so it can release a “200-page love letter to the great British boozer”, with insights curated from almost a decade of organising historic walks around the capital city.
The Great London Pubs: An Illustrated Guide by Johnny Warland is described as “a stroll through our architectural icons, Thames-side taverns, temples of beer and backstreet boozers.”
The guide covers around 50 pubs “from Shakespeare's local to infamous Krays crime scenes,” which are worthy of a visit.
Northern Irish artist Emma Majury has provided dozens of bespoke illustrations for the book, including drawings of the historic Fitzroy Tavern and the river-side Mayflower pub.
Unique cornerstones
Liquid History said: “With more than 3,500 pubs still trading, we've curated the 50 or so we think you really should have a pint in before you die.
“Whether a lifelong Londoner or merely passing through, each pub is a unique cornerstone to not only the street scape but perfectly book-ending a great thwack of London history.”
“From literary legends frequented by Dickens, Thomas and Orwell to backstreet boozers far from the maddening crowds, there is something here for the competitive elbow bender or armchair enthusiast.”
The team behind the book believes it would be “the first of its kind”, and hopes to publish a foreword by architectural historian Dan Cruickshank.
The Kickstarter crowdfund bid has raised just over £3,700 and has two days until it expires.
Karen Welman, founding partner of Pearlfisher, which designed the book, added: "The book is designed to take readers through the doors of a carefully curated selection of historical greats. Enjoying a pint and taking in the atmosphere of a traditional London pub is often as equally sought after as seeing the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace or a trip to Harrods.
"As the attraction of a good pub continues to grow for both the local population and visitors from far afield, this beautifully illustrated guide is an inspiring must-have companion for anyone wanting to find out the historical information and discover the locations of London's oldest pubs.
She continued: "The paintbrush on the guide’s front cover plays a huge role in the big idea behind the design. Inspired by black and white hand-painted pub signs, the paintbrush is a visual play on a pint of beer and throughout the guide, pub names and chapter titles are displayed in this sign written style.
"To accompany the copy, colourful hand-drawn illustrations by the artist Emma Majury bring the book to life and tell a story of each pub, its fascinating history and evokes the charm, wit and feel of being inside a great London pub."
