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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Treetotal on Thursday 07 December 23 14:33 GMT (UK)

Title: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 07 December 23 14:33 GMT (UK)
Here is one for the Vintage Car enthusiasts... would appreciate a date and make for this postcard photo please. Brunswick Garage brought up no matches that I could find on the internet  :-\
Thanks for looking.
Carol
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: dublin1850 on Thursday 07 December 23 14:53 GMT (UK)
I think U was used for Leeds, pre 1921.

There was/is a Brunswick hotel in Bridlington.

Can't help on the make of car, sorry.
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: hanes teulu on Thursday 07 December 23 15:16 GMT (UK)
From newspaper adverts spotted Brunswick Hotels at Morley and Wetherby - early 1900s - and a Brunswick Garage at Camp Road, Brampton.
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: louisa maud on Thursday 07 December 23 15:17 GMT (UK)
Is it a taxi, a Rolls??

But being a mere female what do I know!

LM
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: KGarrad on Thursday 07 December 23 15:24 GMT (UK)
Radiator is wrong shape for a Rolls-Royce?
And no lady/angel on the top of the radiator.
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: softly softly on Thursday 07 December 23 15:29 GMT (UK)
my attempt (see all pictures on link)

https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/model-t-taxi.htm

SS
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 07 December 23 15:42 GMT (UK)
I think U was used for Leeds, pre 1921.

There was/is a Brunswick hotel in Bridlington.

Can't help on the make of car, sorry.



Thanks for that Dublin, I appreciate your help, I will check it out.
Carol
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 07 December 23 15:44 GMT (UK)
From newspaper adverts spotted Brunswick Hotels at Morley and Wetherby - early 1900s - and a Brunswick Garage at Camp Road, Brampton.

Good information HT.

Thanks, that's really helpful.
Carol
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 07 December 23 15:45 GMT (UK)
Is it a taxi, a Rolls??

But being a mere female what do I know!

LM

You are in good company LM. I know nothing about cards!
Carol
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 07 December 23 15:46 GMT (UK)
Radiator is wrong shape for a Rolls-Royce?
And no lady/angel on the top of the radiator.

Thanks KG for ruling that one out, it helps to narrow it down.
Carol
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 07 December 23 15:47 GMT (UK)
Radiator is wrong shape for a Rolls-Royce?
And no lady/angel on the top of the radiator.

Good spot KG and very helpful, thanks for your input.
Carol
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 07 December 23 15:49 GMT (UK)
my attempt (see all pictures on link)

https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/model-t-taxi.htm

SS


Oh thanks for the great link, there are similarities to the one I posted, will take a better look later.
Carol
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: arthurk on Thursday 07 December 23 15:55 GMT (UK)
my attempt

https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/model-t-taxi.htm

SS

I think you could be right. All the detail points that I've tried to compare seem to match - shape of radiator and extent of chrome; number of wheel spokes; flange on front mudguards - not to mention the luggage rack with its scrolls at the front.

The location might be Leeds city centre. There was a Brunswick Hotel on Vicar Lane - it's more or less dead centre on this map from 1891:

https://maps.nls.uk/view/229947264

And here's a picture:

https://www.leodis.net/viewimage/94266
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: KGarrad on Thursday 07 December 23 15:59 GMT (UK)
The Ford Model T Taxi looks a good bet!

Compare headlamps, side/carriage lamps, door handle.
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: louisa maud on Thursday 07 December 23 16:14 GMT (UK)
That's  what I thought  but was swayed by someone else,  as i said, what do I know!!
LM
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: arthurk on Thursday 07 December 23 16:16 GMT (UK)
The location might be Leeds city centre. There was a Brunswick Hotel on Vicar Lane - it's more or less dead centre on this map from 1891:

https://maps.nls.uk/view/229947264

And here's a picture:

https://www.leodis.net/viewimage/94266

Morley might work too - here are a map and picture:

https://maps.nls.uk/view/237469144 - towards the right on Brunswick Street (curly, goes left to right)

https://www.leodis.net/viewimage/107674

In a modern street view it's a red brick building with grey paintwork, but note the entry down the side with stone setts, as in the photo. (Sorry - when I copy a link from Google street view it's just coming up as a map, so there doesn't seem much point.)

ADDED:
Another photo - https://www.leodis.net/viewimage/117773
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 07 December 23 16:51 GMT (UK)
The Ford Model T Taxi looks a good bet!

Compare headlamps, side/carriage lamps, door handle.


My Oh said that too.
Thanks for that.
Carol
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: arthurk on Thursday 07 December 23 16:56 GMT (UK)
Changing my mind again - there are adverts in the Leeds Mercury around 1911-12 (maybe more) for a firm operating taxi cabs from Brunswick Garage, Camp Road, Leeds. And a report in the 29 Oct 1912 edition (p.3) of a pair of crooks trying to sell stolen jewellery to the landlord of the Brunswick Hotel, Camp Road.

More to follow if I find it.
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 07 December 23 16:57 GMT (UK)
The location might be Leeds city centre. There was a Brunswick Hotel on Vicar Lane - it's more or less dead centre on this map from 1891:

https://maps.nls.uk/view/229947264

And here's a picture:

https://www.leodis.net/viewimage/94266

Morley might work too - here are a map and picture:

https://maps.nls.uk/view/237469144 - towards the right on Brunswick Street (curly, goes left to right)

https://www.leodis.net/viewimage/107674

In a modern street view it's a red brick building with grey paintwork, but note the entry down the side with stone setts, as in the photo. (Sorry - when I copy a link from Google street view it's just coming up as a map, so there doesn't seem much point.)

ADDED:
Another photo - https://www.leodis.net/viewimage/117773

Great photo of The Brunswick Arthur, thanks for taking the time.
Carol
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 07 December 23 16:59 GMT (UK)
Changing my mind again - there are adverts in the Leeds Mercury around 1911-12 (maybe more) for a firm operating taxi cabs from Brunswick Garage, Camp Road, Leeds. And a report in the 29 Oct 1912 edition (p.3) of a pair of crooks trying to sell stolen jewellery to the landlord of the Brunswick Hotel, Camp Road.

More to follow if I find it.


Great stuff Arthur....I really appreciate your help.
Carol
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: arthurk on Friday 08 December 23 14:26 GMT (UK)
OK, here's a bit more on the Brunswick Hotel in Camp Road, Leeds.

In the 1911 census the landlord is a Herbert Hollings - his own writing is virtually indecipherable, and this is taken from the cover page. The address on the cover is 24 Brunswick Terrace, Camp Road, but (as far as I can make out) on the form he gives his address as Brunswick Hotel.

I've now found this on a Leeds street map - in the middle here:

https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=19.3&lat=53.80271&lon=-1.54130&layers=117746211&b=9

So if the photo was taken here, I suspect the garage would have been round the back on Jacob Street. Unfortunately the Leodis site doesn't seem to have any pictures of Jacob Street that would help.

It does have a number of pictures of Brunswick Terrace, but I couldn't see one with the hotel. The best I could do was this one at the corner with Camp Road, and I think the hotel would have been just off to the left:

https://www.leodis.net/viewimage/75944
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: dublin1850 on Saturday 09 December 23 10:43 GMT (UK)
Looking at old newspaper mentions:
There was a Brunswick garage, Bridge Street, Bridlington, around the corner from a Brunswick hotel.
There was a Brunswick garage in Cross Belgrave Street Leeds - don't know about proximity to a Brunmswick hotel.
Brunswick garage also in Siddals' Road, Derby.
Brunswick garage in Camp Road. Leeds, also near a Brunswick Hotel

Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 09 December 23 10:54 GMT (UK)
OK, here's a bit more on the Brunswick Hotel in Camp Road, Leeds.

In the 1911 census the landlord is a Herbert Hollings - his own writing is virtually indecipherable, and this is taken from the cover page. The address on the cover is 24 Brunswick Terrace, Camp Road, but (as far as I can make out) on the form he gives his address as Brunswick Hotel.

I've now found this on a Leeds street map - in the middle here:

https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=19.3&lat=53.80271&lon=-1.54130&layers=117746211&b=9

So if the photo was taken here, I suspect the garage would have been round the back on Jacob Street. Unfortunately the Leodis site doesn't seem to have any pictures of Jacob Street that would help.

It does have a number of pictures of Brunswick Terrace, but I couldn't see one with the hotel. The best I could do was this one at the corner with Camp Road, and I think the hotel would have been just off to the left:

https://www.leodis.net/viewimage/75944


Thanks for your interest and your input Arthur, I appreciate you taking the time to look.
Carol
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 09 December 23 10:57 GMT (UK)
Looking at old newspaper mentions:
There was a Brunswick garage, Bridge Street, Bridlington, around the corner from a Brunswick hotel.




It looks like you have solved it Dublin, The postcard was bought in Hull on the East Yorkshire coast so Bridlington fits.  :)

Thank you for that, well done.
Carol
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: arthurk on Saturday 09 December 23 11:49 GMT (UK)
It looks like you have solved it Dublin, The postcard was bought in Hull on the East Yorkshire coast so Bridlington fits.  :)

I can't deny that Bridlington is a possibility, but remember that the car has a Leeds registration plate, and the blackened brickwork might fit Leeds better than Bridlington. And people do/did go from Leeds to Hull and vice versa, even if rather reluctantly.
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: louisa maud on Saturday 09 December 23 12:51 GMT (UK)
This has  been really interesting.  LM
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 09 December 23 13:10 GMT (UK)
It looks like you have solved it Dublin, The postcard was bought in Hull on the East Yorkshire coast so Bridlington fits.  :)

I can't deny that Bridlington is a possibility, but remember that the car has a Leeds registration plate, and the blackened brickwork might fit Leeds better than Bridlington. And people do/did go from Leeds to Hull and vice versa, even if rather reluctantly.


Thanks for that Arthur, you make a valid point, I will keep an open mind.
Carol
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: Karen McDonald on Saturday 09 December 23 13:29 GMT (UK)
I thought I might join in and take a look at Bridlington.  :)

Shop to let in Bridge Street, see P.3 (map):

https://www.heaneymicklethwaite.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/16-Bridge-Street-Bridlington-18.8.16.pdf

Street view of Bridge Street, with Brunswick Hotel (side?) door (main entrance appears to be on Manor Street) and what is marked as "garage" on the map in the previous link:

(https://up.picr.de/46744762mb.jpg)

Street view of Manor Street, with hotel and archway:

(https://up.picr.de/46744763no.jpg)

Closer view of archway:

(https://up.picr.de/46744765zd.jpg)

My brain is probably seeing too much similarity in the curve of the paving stones.  ::) Wishful thinking?! (I realise the stones themselves are different, but it could be that the old design was retained...)

There are apparently businesses in the yard beyond the archway, so there could - theoretically - have been a (repair) garage in there.
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 09 December 23 13:47 GMT (UK)
Those are great images Karen and look very much like we are in the right area  :)
Thanks so much for coming to the party  ;D
Carol
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: Karen McDonald on Saturday 09 December 23 14:37 GMT (UK)
 ;D  ;D  ;D

I didn't realise the pictures were going to be so huge!  ::)

I felt I had to join in, seeing as I live about 2.5km from the "original" Brunswick (Braunschweig), in N. Germany...  8)

It's a shame there is not more to go on in the original photo. And Arthurk raised a lot of good points re: other towns. But who knows... Maybe we will solve the mystery once and for all one day...  :)
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: vintman on Monday 05 February 24 11:42 GMT (UK)
Bit late on this one but can advise that the car registration U-1468 was issued by the County Borough Council of Leeds in the latter part of 1910. The car shown was manufactured by one of the earliest and most prestigious manufacturers of the day, Napier, who made their first car in 1899. Their vehicles were mostly very large and exotic, racers and record breakers. At the other end of their production programme, they also manufactured a vehicle that became very popular as a Taxi in London and elsewhere. From 1908 to 1911 they made over 700 15HP Landaulettes available with either 1.3L 2 Cylinder or 2.7L 4 Cylinder engine. Many were exported.  During World War One they supplied over 2,000 trucks and ambulances to the war effort. So this is a cca 1910 Napier 15HP Landaulette.

Have also slightly enhanced the photo.
Title: Re: Any Ideas on date and make of car please!
Post by: Treetotal on Tuesday 06 February 24 11:13 GMT (UK)
Thanks so much Vintman for your very interesting and informative reply and for taking the time to respond.
I love this postcard,
Carol