Revealed: The ORIGINAL Google Earth view of London - circa 1909!

Sir Norman Lockyer used his knowledge of helium, which he discovered, to fly over capital in balloon



First official survey of London was not carried out until 1917


These stunning aerial photographs over London make up the first-ever comprehensive bird's-eye view of our capital city - dating back to 1909.

The photos, showing Buckingham Palace, Westminster, South Kensington and even Chelsea's football ground Stamford Bridge, were taken by pioneering scientist Sir Norman Lockyer.

He took to the skies in a helium balloon and soared 500ft over London to shoot the breathtaking never-before-seen views.

Crystal-clear palace: Sir Norman Lockyer's revolutionary 1909 aerial photograph of Buckingham Palace

Palace match: An aerial image of Buckingham Palace today (with the addition of nearby tower blocks)

Thames in olden times: A view of Westminster in 1909, at a time when London served as a busy port for international sea trade

Time and tide: The same stretch of river, now with added attractions such as the London Eye

A collection of 70 glass slides and negatives of the ground-breaking journey are to go under the hammer - but are only expected to fetch £500.

Lockyer is credited with discovering helium - and used his knowledge of the gas to lift off into the skies over the capital in 1909.

He then used his expertise to explore his hobby of photography - snapping the incredible portraits on a Victorian box-style camera.

The first official aerial survey of London was not completed until 1917.

Through the looking glass: An auctioneer holds a photographic glass negative of Westminster taken by scientist Sir Norman Lockyer in balloon flights over London

High flyer: Scientist Sir Norman Lockyer used his expert knowledge of helium to fly over London to take aerial photos eight years before an official survey in 1917



Sir Norman's revolutionary pictures, taken in bright daylight to ensure maximum exposure, show virtually car-free roads in the capital at the turn of the 20th century.

Many of London's famous landmarks and old Victorian buildings remain the same - but the streets are clean and empty.

The capital's now giant skyline is pictured in its infancy, with low-rise properties punctuated by some of the world's most famous sights.

A gleaming Westminster is shown - minus the towering London Eye - and Chelsea's football ground Stamford Bridge can be seen with just one stand by the side of the pitch.

London as it was in 1909: While many landmarks and features remain the same, the lack of traffic in Trafalgar Square marks this image out from a time long gone



Bustling scene: In this modern image of the area around Trafalgar Square, high-rises are now visible - as well as the arched terminal at Charing Cross station



Its terracing and athletics track make it far removed from the 41,800 all-seater stadium it is today, more than 100 years later.

The West London football club, now owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, had only been founded in 1905 - four years earlier.

Stamford Bridge was opened in 1877 as a home for London Athletics Club until The Blues took over in 1904.

The stadium's highest ever attendance was 82,905 for a league match with Arsenal in October 1935.

Black and white and blue all over: Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium with only one stand as it looked on November 7, 1909

Over-head kicks: Aerial view of the modern-day Stamford Bridge stadium in Chelsea with its new stands

Trafalgar Square, now filled with the daily hustle and bustle of tourists, is shown desolate in the morning sunlight.

Parliament Square, St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben also feature in the clear slides.

All the black and white shots - including others from Egypt and Suez - will be up for grabs at the Dominic Winter auction house, in Cirencester, Gloucester, on November 16.

Pictures of Sir Norman are also available in the collection which will go under the hammer at the aviation and motoring auction.

The pioneering scientist, born Joseph Norman Lockyer, who also founded influential science journal Nature, died 11 years after his balloon flight over London.

Victorian splendour: A picture of Kensington taken by scientist Sir Norman Lockyer in 1909

Height of modernity: The Albert Hall hasn't changed but tall buildings have sprouted up

Square route: Image of Sloane Square taken on Sir Norman Lockyer's 1909 balloon journey over London