Ruislip, Middlesex, The High Street c1913

Ruislip, Middlesex, The High Street circa 1913. Ruislip is much more built-up now, but the buildings on the left are the same. This postcard was produced by W. H. Applebee of Ashford for Harry Hailey who ran the sub-post office in Ruislip village. Click the postcard to enlarge.

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Hayes, Middlesex, Station Road, c1913

Hayes, Middlesex, Station Road, c1913. In this postcard by W. H. Applebee you can clearly see his three-wheeled car, an A. C. Sociable that appeared in many of his postcards (also see these posts on this blog here, here and here). This postcards is one of my favourites from my collection. It gives the town of Hayes a 'wild-west' feel. Notice the girl walking down the street and the men sitting in the garden of the cafe on the right staring at her (or perhaps they are staring at the photographer)?
Click the postcard to enlarge.
Have a look at this week's Sepia Saturday blog - it features a similar three-wheeled vehicle.

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York, Micklegate, Warriner's Motor and Cycle Shop c1910 - Sepia Saturday

York, Micklegate, Warriner's Motor and Cycle Shop c1910. George William Warriner (1864-1949) had this shop at 138 Micklegate, York, close to the 14th century Micklegate Bar. In the modern Street View below, 138 Micklegate is the blue-fronted shop. It is now a knitwear shop called Bill Baber. In the old postcard view you can see a gramophone horn on display inside the shop. I think it was not unusual for early gramophones to be sold by engineers rather than music shops. Eagle-eyed viewers may also be able to spot a 'His Master's Voice' poster. I am not expert enough to tell you the make of the motorcycles in the window or outside, but if anyone can identify them it may help to date the picture more accurately. It looks like the motorcycle in the window is priced at £37. In the 1911 census Warriner described himself as a 'motor and cycle engineer', but in the 1901 census, when he was living not far away in Price Street, he was a 'bicycle maker'. In the 1891 census he was a guard on the railway. Both Warriner and his wife Annie were born in York, but curiously their daughter Dora was born in 1898 in Texas, U.S.A. Perhaps the Warriners spent some time in the U.S.A. while Warriner honed his engineering skills. This postcard was posted in 1910. Click to enlarge.
Please visit Sepia Saturday for more old photographs.

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Weybridge, Surrey, High Street showing Zenith Motor Works c1913

Weybridge, Surrey, High Street c1913. The most striking thing about this postcard is the Zenith motorcycle company's factory right in the High Street, in a small shop, now replaced by a pub called the 'Percy Lambert'.  Zenith moved their factory in 1909 to Weybridge High Street to be close to Brooklands racing circuit. Zenith were a very innovative company and were very successful at racing. The company was run by Freddie Barnes. The sign on the right-hand column says 'Makers of "Zenith" - Bicar (patented) - "Zenette" - Tri-Car'. Check out these links for more info on Zenith:

Vintagent
Wikipedia Entry
Grace's Guide

The Street View is not showing quite the correct angle. If you move forward in the Street View you can see the rest of the street. The left part of the pub occupies Zenith Motor Works and the right side is where International Stores were. Percy Lambert was a racing car driver who raced at Brooklands. I think they should rename the pub to the 'Freddie Barnes', it would be far more appropriate. The grand looking building further on down the street is Holstein Hall, a theatre, now demolished. Holstein Hall will be featuring on this blog in the near future. This postcard was published by Holman of Surbiton, whose postcards are known for their excellent quality. Click to enlarge.

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In the close-up below you can see some workers lounging around in the upper window, possibly having a tea break. Click to enlarge.

Balham High Road, South-West London c1916

Postcard published by the prolific South London publisher R. J. Johns. 
Balham High Road Today:



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Grayswood, Surrey c1912

Grayswood, showing the post office. Postcard by W. H. Applebee. The three-wheeled vehicle is an A.C. Sociable. This vehicle belonged to Applebee and appears in many of his postcards.

The post office is now a private house. Grayswood today:


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