This is one of a series of short, staple bound books published by Café Royal Books. Café Royal Books is the publishing project of artist and scholar Craig Atkinsion, dedicated to the creation of a “focussed and complete archive of British documentary photography.” Café Royal books are generally printed in black and white in relatively small editions, and focus on works by photographers of any nationality made in the British Isles, as well as works by British photographers made abroad.

This book collects photographs of various subjects by John Claridge. Claridge, who was born in the East End of London, was known for his photographs of daily life in the East End and of jazz musicians. Monoliths Sculptures Fun and Death presents Claridge’s photos of gravestones, tower block apartments, dog races, arcades, and circuses. His photographic style renders familiar objects and locations into stark, nearly alien images.