Comments on: Shopping In Old London

By: McJohn

McJohn — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 03:32:48 +0000

Although “Swears & Wells” is vastly entertaining, I still want to rename the furriers’ “Swells & Wears”.

By: Lynne Perrella

Lynne Perrella — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 15:15:43 +0000

You had me at —— LIBERTY. It is so far beyond a “retail environment”……..more like a fantasy-version of a Shop. Every window, every beam, every rail, every drawer evokes a gentler age when societal aesthetics were broadening. Thus, the delightful imports, and the interest in hand-crafted wares and artistic accessories and home goods. Ladies, put aside those bustles and frills — and perhaps slip into a kimono-like gown? Or wrap yourself in a Morris-designed shawl. I did, and I still have it. It will outlast me, for sure.

In my collection of art books, I have a couple volumes about Liberty. I will enjoy looking through those again this weekend, as I imagine the lucky shoppers who still enjoy the holiday ambiance at Liberty. Thank you, GA — Happy holidays to all.

By: Christine Swan

Christine Swan — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 10:38:20 +0000

I do recognise a few of these. Beautiful Liberty of London remains unchanged. The Staples Inn building was famously on tins of Old Holborn tobacco, of which I have a couple of my father’s, now rattling with nails and screws inside. I believe that the building was painstakingly rebuilt to be a faithful restoration of the original.
I am not sure what a toilet saloon is – it seems to offer haircutting also . Mind you, I am always nervous visiting the optician, to learn how my eyesight is not ageing well but can be partially corrected, but only at eye-watering expense!

By: Elizabeth Gilbey

Elizabeth Gilbey — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 09:50:12 +0000

Wonderful photos, GA! Thank you for sharing. I especially like the one of 152, Strand; it seems to encapsulate the whole era in one set of advertising hoardings.
The look of so many streets are echoed in Mark Gatiss’ Bookish TV series series, actually filmed in Belgium (and currently filming series 2) and set in 1946; which shows how late some of the changes in London streets actually was.
Interesting to also note that a Swears and Wells store – very high class furriers – was also in Leicester. Which may seem a strange venue until taken into consideration that the city was at the heart of the foxhunting Shires (Quorn, Fernie, Pytchley, Atherstone etc) where old and new money, and monied foreign visitors from royalty down made their holiday homes, a city and county where Society with a capital ‘S’ met…..where Edward met Mrs Simpson, where the creators of the real Chitty Chitty Bang Bang lived and worked, where Malcolm Sargeant attracted huge audiences to his organ recitals, where even Gordon Bennett stayed during ‘the season. And where WW1 secret agents were trained.
On another note… have a very happy and peaceful Christmas, GA, with many thanks for another year of education, enlightenment and entertainment. Your 365 day a year devotion to your subject, and the sheer variety of what you unfold every single day, is as amazing as it is breathtaking. Thank you so much.
And here is to a happy and rewarding 2026.

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 07:27:21 +0000

Sorry! But I for one will not be visiting the Sweeney Todd Barbershop in the Strand, thank you very much!