Old postcards from the early 20th century, compared to the same view shown on Google Street View today. The postcards come from my own collection. Almost all of them are from England, mainly showing West London, Middlesex, Surrey, Berks and Bucks. Click on the postcards to see enlarged versions. Street View images are the copyright of Google. Comments, questions or requests are welcome. If you repost my images on other websites (such as Facebook) please include a link to my original post.
Saturday, 18 May 2013
Frome, Somerset, Bath Road 1910
Frome, Somerset, Bath Road 1910. Frome (pronounced 'Froom') is a picturesque town in Somerset. Postcard by Young & Co of Teddington. Click the postcard to enlarge.
For more old photographs visit this week's Sepia Saturday blog.
This is a great postcard photo, Howard. I really like the perspective of the curved and rising street with a cyclist coming down and the clutter of the shops. And the ghostly figures in the doorway enhance the period quality.
This postcard is absolutely full of fascinating bits and pieces. I think I would have liked to visit Mr Jackson's shop. Victorian/Edwardian ironmongers and hardware stores are usually the most interesting shopfronts to see on postcards, and I'm sure the booksellers & stationers would have occupied me for hours. As for the Ladies' Outfitting store on the opposite corner, my wife and daughters would have made a bee-line for that doorway. Nice to see that the street has retained much of its character, even if the contents of the shops are nowhere near as inviting.
The more I see such comparisons as this the more I come to think that modern, over-large, vibrant, in-your-face store facias should be banned. They did some things better back then, more restrained, leaving you able to concentrate on the architecture.
Oh now this is a toss up, on which do I like better, and the answer is, they are both wonderful!Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like Jacksons had a fine variety from which to choose. Frome looks a pretty town.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great postcard photo, Howard. I really like the perspective of the curved and rising street with a cyclist coming down and the clutter of the shops. And the ghostly figures in the doorway enhance the period quality.
ReplyDeleteI love these "then and now" shots. And, I have to tell you, I always prefer the "then" shot! Thanks for some fabulous photos, Howard!
ReplyDeleteJackson & Sons were quite the businessmen!
ReplyDeleteThat view hasn't changed much.
ReplyDeleteThis postcard is absolutely full of fascinating bits and pieces. I think I would have liked to visit Mr Jackson's shop. Victorian/Edwardian ironmongers and hardware stores are usually the most interesting shopfronts to see on postcards, and I'm sure the booksellers & stationers would have occupied me for hours. As for the Ladies' Outfitting store on the opposite corner, my wife and daughters would have made a bee-line for that doorway. Nice to see that the street has retained much of its character, even if the contents of the shops are nowhere near as inviting.
ReplyDeleteRemarkably alike despite the passage of time. Love the lamp standard (gas?) on the postcard.
ReplyDeleteThe more I see such comparisons as this the more I come to think that modern, over-large, vibrant, in-your-face store facias should be banned. They did some things better back then, more restrained, leaving you able to concentrate on the architecture.
ReplyDeleteThe first thing that hits you is that the Jacksons had the monopoly, but what an interesting shop that stationers would be.
ReplyDeleteYour posts are always interesting. I never tire of looking at the old postcards.
ReplyDelete