This
stationer and newsagent fits the bill in terms of crowded windows and
signs - surprisingly it also acts as agent for Lipton's Teas and
Lyons Teas. In the 1901 census, John P. Weatherly was described as a 40
years old Postmaster of 73 High Street, Earlston,Berwickshire in the Scottish Borders],
living with his wife, mother-in-law and children. Edward, Ellen and
Margaret. The Trade Directory two years later adds to his role that of
bookseller and printer.
But take a closer look at that newspaper placard outside the shop, which announces that "Crippin Removed to Hospital" - the big clue to dating this image.
A crowded shop display in one of the many replica shops to be found at Beamish, the large open air museum, telling the story of life in North East England during the 1820s, 1900s & 1940s.
Why do shop fronts and shop displays seem so much more attractive abroad than in Britain? Or is it something to do with being on holiday and looking for different photo opportunities?
Gift shops in Austria displaying their wares.
But take a closer look at that newspaper placard outside the shop, which announces that "Crippin Removed to Hospital" - the big clue to dating this image.
Dr.
Hawley Harvey Crippen, was an American doctor He was hanged 23rd
November 1910 in Pentonville Prison, London for the murder of his wife
Cora Henrietta Crippen, and was the first criminal to be captured with
the aid of wireless telegraphy.
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Why do shop fronts and shop displays seem so much more attractive abroad than in Britain? Or is it something to do with being on holiday and looking for different photo opportunities?
Gift shops in Austria displaying their wares.
In Austria we cannot resist going into a"Konditerei " - the equivalent of the French patisseries - not just to view the wonderful displays of cakes, pastries, fruit slices etc., but definitely to taste a sample - or two! This is an important part of our holiday - any thoughts of diets go out of the window!
A view of Cafe Zauner in Bad Ischl, near Salzburg. It was founded in 1832 and is in the traditional style of an Austrian Coffee shop. Unmissable for the food and the surroundings.
I love seeing in Austria and Bavaria, the wearing of the traditional costume - not just in hotels and restaurants for the benefit of the tourist trade, but worn on Sundays, on high days and holidays and for weddings. The many shops that sell the dresses indicate this is not just a fancy dress, but an important part of the local culture.
Postscript: a memo to myself - look for colourful shops fronts and displays in Britain - coming to mind are tartan shops in Edinburgh, London souvenir shops in the capital, seaside souvenir shops on the coast, old fashioned ironongers, farmers' markets, antique shops etc. I must start exploring more with my camera.
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Sepia Saturday gives an opportunity for genealogy bloggers
to share their family history through photographs
Click HERE to read how other bloggers enjoy window shopping.
A wonderful collection of shop fronts and pastry display cases (yum!) I think your idea of looking for interesting window displays wherever you happen to be is a great one! Your photo of the pumpkin display at Lambert's Fruit Company would be one, if I'd taken it, to use as a postcard to send out to relatives and friends probably as a Thanksgiving greeting - maybe with a picture of a piece of pumpkin pie piled high with whipped cream on the reverse side :))
ReplyDeleteWe don't take enough photos of ordinary life do we and shop fronts or displays are always so interesting particularly when you go back in time. I love shopping when I'm overseas..everything does look so much more interesting than when at home. But I guess it's about your mental state. At home you are in a rush and usually tired. On holidays you can just wander and browse with no real commitments or timetable.
ReplyDeleteMarkets are great subjects for photos.
ReplyDeleteThese are inspiring shopping photos...I'm glad to look at them, as well as your explanations.
ReplyDeleteShops and markets since ancient times recognized that attractive displays were met to successful sales. Sadly artistic window dressing seems to have disappeared here in the US.
ReplyDeleteSo nice to see the storefronts you captured in these photos. With big box stores trying to muscle out smaller, local shops -- especially here in the U.S. -- capturing images of small shop displays before they disappear is a worthy artistic and historical undertaking.
ReplyDelete