Where were these construction workers in London, when photographed?

[Keith Sherwood]

Thanks very much, Nigelp for digging that one up (post 66) - the Bernard Cribbens tune, I mean.  Made me smile to listen to that again after all those years.
And apologies, everyone, for lowering the tone somewhat with my little sidetrack, from what has been an outstanding piece of Rootschat detective work.  There's more little details being uncovered all the time too: thanks very much for the fashion-driven carbon dating as well!  Wonderful...
keith

[PrueM]

Hi Prue, I'd seen it but there's not enough to go on. Your guess is as good as any...hat width went out until about 1910 and then started back in again.

Cheers,
China

True, very little to go on, but at least it puts it after 1900 and probably before the war - that's a pretty narrow window 

[ShaunJ]

Is there anything on the back of the photo, Keith?

[jaybelnz]

 hehe - Wouldn't it be funny if it was all written on the back??  LOL.  This has been a really amazing thread to watch! And such a lot happened since I saw it last night!!   Great work from everyone! 
Hugely admire those sleuthing skills!   See what genealogy research does for you??  Sharpens the mind!!  But we know that!!

Cheers and congratulations to you all!!

Jeanne NZ

[Keith Sherwood]

Hi again, Shaun,
You've been doing some sterling work on this thread, and no, I'm afraid there are no clues written on the back of the photo.  It's been mounted on something that is as brittle as a thin wafer, and the very first thing I  managed to do was break off that top righthand corner, just by picking it up and not being ultra careful.  For a few moments I thought I was going to be ostracised for ever by my brother's family for being so clumsy, but I immediately came clean about it - e-mailed my sister-in-law -  and was forgiven (I think!)
keith
P.S. Presumably whoever in the family gave the precious photo to my sister in law might know something about how it came into the family - might ask about that and see whether that provides any more relevant information

[kath davis]

Can I just say what wonderful detective work! Shaun's link above clinches it. It even looks like that tree on the right on google maps link might even be the same as the one in Keith's photo. 

I thought that - before I read your response - same split into 3 trunks.
Kath

[chinakay]

no clues written on the back of the photo. 

Shaun asked a great question...it's something we hammer repeatedly on but I forgot to ask

Doesn't have to be something written. A photographer's stamp or a printed design can be a great clue. Is there anything printed on the back or on the front of the mount?
 
It looks like there's some silvering-out going on in the print, which would make it a silver gelatin print made after 1885ish. Not much help, I know....I'm just saying

Cheers,
China

[Nick29]

Hi again, Shaun,
You've been doing some sterling work on this thread, and no, I'm afraid there are no clues written on the back of the photo.  It's been mounted on something that is as brittle as a thin wafer, and the very first thing I  managed to do was break off that top righthand corner, just by picking it up and not being ultra careful.  For a few moments I thought I was going to be ostracised for ever by my brother's family for being so clumsy, but I immediately came clean about it - e-mailed my sister-in-law -  and was forgiven (I think!)
keith
P.S. Presumably whoever in the family gave the precious photo to my sister in law might know something about how it came into the family - might ask about that and see whether that provides any more relevant information

For some reason I find this photo fascinating...... when you play around with the brightness & contrast settings in the  picture, words start to appear all over the place.... try it !  It's most evident on the trousers of the man standing at the back with a bowler hat.

Keith, are there any indentations on the photo caused by people writing things on papers which were on top of the photo ?

[ShaunJ]

In case anyone is trying to make out the lettering above the shop at number 111, between Andre's and Simons, it should read Harragan or Harragans. They were a firm of cardboard box makers.