The opportunity to collaborate with Hoxton Mini Press, a local publisher that taps into the photography sector, was one the museum was keen to pursue.
As the curator – attached to the crafting of the London Nights exhibition at the Museum of London – I was unsure how the catalogue would develop. But soon enough, I found confidence in the book designer Friederike Huber, who appreciated the imagery and understood my thought process, and how they were connected.
We worked well together, addressing how each image spoke to the next and how they all related. Huber created a layout and flow to the book that differs to moving around the exhibition space, but one that makes visual sense and maximises the impact of the catalogue. The design puts optimum emphasis on imagery.
In terms of the image selection process, I submitted a broader selection than is now published because of the nature of copyright. This is always an issue with respect to reproducing photographs that are being displayed for exhibition. We set a budget for rights clearances and Huber and I selected between one and three works for each photographer to be included so as to represent the exhibition sufficiently and have variation in the layout.
We discussed how best to integrate the main text and it felt appropriate to divide this into three sections, echoing the exhibition structure while allowing visual breathing space. As a result, the text punctuates the imagery and helps drive the overarching narrative. I was keen to include voices other than my own, so I sourced references and quotes for the essays.
I also wanted to incorporate poetry in the publication, so when a museum colleague suggested the UK-based poet Inua Ellams to me it fell into place. Ellams’s acceptance of the commission was exciting. He is passionate about the urban night, having founded Midnight Run – a walking, arts-filled, cultural exploration of cities at night.
The culmination of his mesmerising words, my explorative text and the punch of the imagery makes for avibrant publication.
Both the Museum of London and Hoxton Mini Press wanted a book that would reflect a contemporary edge – something seductive yet accessible, and good to look at and hold.
Therefore size, proportion and paper texture were all key in the final production, and both partners worked together to agree the overall outcome. We wanted it to not only complement the style of the press’s other books, but also to differ from previous publications by the museum. The typeface we used connects with our marketing campaign.
Several images were considered for the cover and I am pleased with the ultimate choice. I admit that before the marketing campaign and the book design started, I was hesitant about this being a monochrome image and one from London’s West End.
Yet this photograph, which was among my favourites since the museum acquired the negative back in 2007, instantly looked strong on the cover and should hopefully appeal to multiple generations, bringing their own experiences and interpretations to the exhibition and book.
The photo, taken by Bob Collins, of smartly dressed youths out on the town at Piccadilly Circus in 1955, conveys a mood that reflects the contents of the book it introduces. The overlaid bright yellow text alludes to the contrasting light in the city after dark and makes this publication leap off the shelf.

Anna Sparham is the curator of photographs at the Museum of London. London Nights is at the museum until 11 November
By Anna Sparham, Hoxton Mini Press, £19.95, ISBN 978-1-910566-34-3