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A Brief History Of Bishopsgate Goodsyard
Mesolithic tranchet adze discovered at Bishopsgate Goodsyard Bishopsgate Goodsyard c.1910 There are many continuities that run through time in Spitalfields, yet the most disturbing is the history of...
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At Herne Bay
I spent all of my week away from Spitalfields Life in August working on the Spitalfields Nippers book but, now it has gone to the printers, I was able to make up for this yesterday and take advantage...
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Printers’ Terminology
In little over a year, I have become the publisher of five books and so I thought it was high time I acquainted myself with all the correct language that I may have a better grasp of what the printers...
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In Old Holborn
Holborn Bars Even before I knew Holborn, I knew Old Holborn from the drawing of half-timbered houses upon the tobacco tins in which my father used to store his rusty nails. These days, I walk through...
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The Language of Beer
Since I published the Printers’ Terminology last week, my attention has been drawn to this collection of specialist lingo associated with another area of passionate interest – pubs and beer – and so I...
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The Luchadors Of Bethnal Green
Lucha Britannia Passing the terrace in Paradise Row, Bethnal Green, with a blue plaque commemorating the former residence of the legendary eighteenth century prize-fighter, Daniel Mendoza, I took the...
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William West’s Tavern Anecdotes
It is my pleasure to publish this selection of the Origins of Signs by William West (1770-1854) from his Tavern Anecdotes of 1825 to be found in the Bishopsgate Library. “The absurdities which Tavern...
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The Language Of Tailors
Complementing yesterday’s portrait of Chris Georgiou, Bespoke Tailor, today I offer this selection of the language of tailors. Chris Georgiou BABY - The stuffed pad of cloth that the tailor works his...
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At The Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club
Dominic Patmore, Powerlifter In Turin St, there is a single-storey brick building so unassuming that even the locals do not know what it is, yet this is home to the celebrated Bethnal Green...
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New Designs From Old Treasures
Renaissance Bronze bridle motif embellished with gold and set upon a silver pin Jewellery maker Romilly Saumarez Smith has long been fascinated by all the small pieces of metalwork from previous ages...
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The Gasometers Of Bethnal Green
Behold the mighty gasometer looming against the sky! Just as Rome has the Coliseum, New York has the Empire State Building, Paris has the Eiffel Tower and Cairo has the Pyramids – in Bethnal Green, we...
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A Hoxton Childhood
Terry Jasper, son of A S Jasper, has organised a reading of dramatised excerpts from his father’s celebrated autobiography A Hoxton Childhood at Hoxton Hall next week, on Thursday 16th October at...
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In The Crypt Of Christ Church, Spitalfields
For the first time in three centuries, the crypt of Christ Church Spitalfields may be seen with all the dividing walls removed, just as Nicholas Hawksmoor designed it, and last week I was granted the...
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A New Home For Old Photographs
Photograph by O. Baumgard, 12 Little Alie St It fills me with dismay to see old family albums for sale. And boxes of loose family photographs, all mixed up together, are one of the saddest sights you...
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Bishopsgate Tavern Tokens
The Ship Tavern, Bishopsgate There are some artefacts that, in their detail and evidence of wear, can evoke an entire world. Although no larger than a thumbnail, these modest seventeenth century...
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Adam Dant At Lloyds Of London
Double-click to enlarge and study the details Have you ever wondered what goes on inside that gleaming steel tower on Leadenhall St which houses Lloyds of London? Thanks to the superlative talent of...
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The Marquis Of Lansdowne To Be Restored
Wright & Wright’s new proposal with the Marquis of Lansdowne in the top left corner Last week, the Geffrye Museum revealed its new development proposal by architects Wright & Wright, including...
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Aldgate & Aldersgate Tavern Tokens
The Pie (Magpie), issued by David Gill 1671, Aldgate Without The issuing of currency was the Prerogative of the Monarch until Charles I got his head chopped off in 1649, and anyone was free to mint...
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Work In Progress By Anthony Eyton
Anthony Eyton & His Subject Anthony Eyton’s new exhibition DRAWING ON HAWKSMOOR opens at Eleven Spitalfields next week, providing the ideal excuse for me to tag along with him yesterday on an...
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On Publication Day For Spitalfields Nippers
Come along to celebrate publication day for SPITALFIELDS NIPPERS by picking up your copy in person from me at Hatchards of Piccadilly from 4-6pm this afternoon and I will give you one of our beautiful...
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