RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => London and Middlesex => Topic started by: majdrew on Thursday 26 January 12 17:50 GMT (UK)
-
Hello,
I'm new to this forum and so forgive me if I have posted this query in the wrong place or even the wrong forum!
I am trying to place where these pics were taken. They are actually of my parents from Devon who spent their honeymoon in London. I now live in London and was curious if I could find the spot where they were standing all those years ago!
I believe it was taken about 1958/9/or 60.. I thought it was Berwick St market in Soho, but I've walked up and down there and it's not. (I'm aware it may not exist anymore..)
Any pointers would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Mark.
-
Hi there and welcome to Rootschat.
Looking at the London phone books for the late 1950's ,there was a Cordell and Co(fancy box makers) at 7 Britannia Street WC1.
Or a Cordelle and Co at 106 Middlesex Street E1.
In 1962 there is a Cordell and Co at 81 Wigmore Street W1.
Carol
-
Hi Mark and welcome to Rootschat!
I guess Cordelle is going to be our best clue and having searched Historical Directories for that word have come up with :
Cordelle, Ellen Mary (Madame), Ladies' Outfitter, 503 Green las (?), Haringay, Middlesex in Kelly's Directory of 1914
Obviously the photo is much later but this might be a clue to the origins of the shop?
Heather
-
Wow that's great thank you for those leads!
My guess is, it's the Cordelle & Co in Middlesex St. Which I've just found out is next to Petticoat Lane. I can very well imagine they would have visited that market..
That's excellent.. I'll take a trip along there this weekend with my camera!
Thanks!
-
Cordelle, Ellen Mary (Madame), Ladies' Outfitter, 503 Green las (?), Haringay, Middlesex in Kelly's Directory of 1914
That will be Green Lanes :)
-
The building which had PHONE on it is on the corner of Strype St and Petticoat Lane Market, from my reading of Google Street View. The building behind the bird's head is still there but the Cordelle store is now a building site.
Eddie
-
Well spotted Eddie! :D
-
Well.. there's the confirmation then.. Petticoat Lane Market.
That's great, thank you everybody for such prompt help! I only wish I had some more queries to ask you all now.. !
I'll take a pic of the spot and post it here.
Many thanks to you all again!
Mark.
-
That's great, thank you everybody for such prompt help! I only wish I had some more queries to ask you all now.. !
I'm sure you'll soon think of some more ;D ;D ;D
-
I think it is Petticoat Lane.
-
Well I made it along there today. Yes, the Cordelle building has been replaced, but the rest seems to be the same. Funny feeling to be standing in the spot they were 50 odd years ago.. good though!
-
Thanks for posting the photos, it's good to see the end result of the research :)
Only problem is, where's your parrot? ;)
Heather
-
Haha! Yes I know! The parrot belonged to the street photographer, not my parents.. you probably realised that. Apparently they were walking along and someone plonked the coat and parrot on his shoulder before they knew it.. and, well, there you are! I was parrot-less today..
-
I have a picture of me as a child taken in London about 50 years ago,where I have a Monkey on my shoulder( as ya do!). I also had just lost all my front teeth to the tooth fairy ;D
I wonder how many other strange animals you could be photographed with back then?
Carol
-
Great photos and story Mark!
All this talk of East End Markets and exotic animals, puts me in mind of one of the more interesting stories dug up on my own family research, a newspaper report on my great uncle, who was 19 at the time, and along with his little brother, my great grandad spent most their working lives as Spitalfields Market Porters:
The Police Guardian Friday August 8 1884
"At the Worship-street Police Court recently a youth named John Tomkins, living at 12 Corbits Row, Spitalfields, was charged with gambling of a somewhat unusual charachter. It appeared that on Sunday afternoon the prisoner was watched by Police Constables in plain clothes, who saw him drive a brisk trade in selling tickets bearing certain numbers at penny each. When a dozen were disposed of, round balls, bearing similar numbers were placed in the cylinder, which a monkey, trained for the purpose, turned round, and then inserting his paw, pulled out one, which was declared to be the winning number, and the holder paid ten pence, two pence deducted for commission. Furthermore, the officers noticed only certain young men, who appeared to be the prisoners confederates, were succesful in the draw. After having seen him dispose of several shillings worth of tickets the officers arrested him, and the monkey, which, amid considerable laughter, was produced in court. Mr Hannay ordered the prisoner to pay a fine of 40 shillings, in default to be imprisoned for a month."
Makes you realise how enterprising these market lot were, the prototypes for the 'Del Boy' type charachters, dodgy wheelers and dealers of latter days. I just love the description of the primate 'accomplice' being produced in court (to the obvious merriment of all involved), and would kill to have a photo of uncle John and his monkey!
-
Yes the London markets' are great. My local is North End Rd, Fulham. Fresh fruit & veg so cheap .. and characters from yesteryear.
No parrots or monkeys though.. shame about that perhaps .. ! Plenty of wild parrots in the parks all the same.. they seem to love it here.