Comments on: William Whiffin’s London

By: Eddie Knight

Eddie Knight — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 03:48:13 +0000

I found myself in the Whiffen photo of the Coronation street party in Southill St Poplar 1937,Iwas 3 and a half years old and I can still remember the day and Mr Whiffen ducking under the black cloth setting up his camera on the corner outside Boots chemists earlier in the day before the party for a shot of the opposite aspect,15 members of my family are in the picture which is outside my dad`s shop/warehouse which we lived above at No 32 which I believe became the ARP post B32.The cake on the table weighed 20lbs.The photo of the bomb damage is not of that location but the Kerby St right hand corner of Southill St as can be seen by the flank wall of the house which would have shown Boots shop window had it been so . Good old days.

By: Francesca Fenn

Francesca Fenn — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 07:17:31 +0000

These photos are absolutely wonderful. So evocative, so atmospheric. My maternal grandfather was born to a very poor family in Limehouse and my father was born just off Sidney Street, so the East End is my root – I’ve lived all my life in Ilford and Wanstead, and now I’m back near Ilford. I write books for families to explore free-to-see London and I just love walking around exploring and thinking. The East End has one of the richest and most interesting histories in our great city, yet further enriched with these photos. I will most definitely be going to the exhibition as soon as I can! Thank you.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 14:25:51 +0000

Very evocative photographs. Inspiring.

By: James

James — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 11:18:32 +0000

Re lion picture and Elizabeth’s comment – it was the Lion Brewery. The lion itself was only black through pollution. Yes, it was painted red and stood outside Waterloo for a time but then went back to its ‘Coade stone’ original white in 1966 and was erected at Westminster Bridge, where it still stands.

By: Sue

Sue — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 08:34:24 +0000

What a wonderful selection of photographs, thank you.

By: Annie G

Annie G — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 06:36:12 +0000

The photo of the little house with strange wooden gable at the front beneath the picture of Covent Garden is 7 Jewry Street.

By: Janet Kelly

Janet Kelly — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 23:27:07 +0000

I am glad I came upon these great photos of a bygone London one that my mother inhabited. I am more interested because my mother has large beautiful portraits of herself and her mother taken by William Whiffen. They still hang in her living room.

By: Joan Bailey

Joan Bailey — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 22:35:37 +0000

Intrigued by the untitled photograph of a large group of women at some kind of church or community gathering.

By: Ros

Ros — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 22:17:35 +0000

Riveting! I ‘m going to get to the exhibition by hook or by crook. This lovely selection has convinced me.

By: Phillip Stark

Phillip Stark — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 19:19:19 +0000

Nicely done!