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A Sparks
master brummie
I wonder whereabouts that would have been?
i wondered that sparks..can you make out any clues for a kellys look up...im struggling..would think its all demolished now
lyn
A Sparks
master brummie
Thanks!
The slope of the street did indicate it might be on that side.
Unusual double grouping of street lamps.
Radiorails
master brummie
Just a thought.....it maybe that the theatre being a well patronized place would need good lighting at the entrance for safety reasons, plus it would be more inviting. Older types of gas lamps need a serviceable mantle, which was serviced by the lamplighter,
Richard Dye
master brummie
Very good point!
This is listed as a 1912 view of the first motor bus in birmingham. It is in New Street, outside H. J Nicoll, ladies & gentlemens merchant tailors at 39 New St. £9 Nes st is now Claires, and the columns in the photo can still be seen on streetview
Richard Dye
master brummie
Wonderful photo and the “street view” right hand picture showing the columns, what magnificent architecture and at least 114 years old and still going strong!This is listed as a 1912 view of the first motor bus in birmingham. It is in New Street, outside H. J Nicoll, ladies & gentlemens merchant tailors at 39 New St. £9 Nes st is now Claires, and the columns in the photo can still be seen on streetview
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DavidGrain
master brummie
Just being pedantic. The Midland Red, original official name Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company Ltd. was founded in 1904 and other BET companies were operating bus services at that time whose bus services the Midland Red took over. The BET logo is displayed on the side of the bus which was used before they changed to displaying the MIDLAND name.
Here is a sketch of New street in 1817 from the short-lived publication The Birmingham Inspector, which only lasted 8 months. The impressive building in the centre is the original Theatre Royal. To the right of it is Portugal House, This was originally the home of Joseph Green, a merchant, who was made bankrupt in 1799. It seems to have been a linen warehouse for a while, but by at least 1807 it was the establishment of Mrs Thomas , who, from 10.00am till 4.00 pm, took orders for her millinery and Mantuas (apparently an overgown or robe typically worn over stays, stomacher and either a co-ordinating or contrasting petticoat). According to Wikipedia at this time the article had somewhat fallen out of fashion, though possibly not in Birmingham. The building was put up for sale in 1810 ( perhaps the decline in mantuas had reached Birmingham). For some time it was occupied by Hickin & Dunsford, distillers & spirit merchants, but it may have been used as an auction site, as in 1822 there was a sale there of the belongings of Lucien Buonaparte, the younger brother of Napoleon. He had some disagreements with his brother, and spent about four years in England till 1814, living for a time in Ludlow.
In 1823 it became a wine merchants under S.A.Wheeler. The wine side was pushed at first, but later he seemed to concentrate more on distilling, presumably gin. The premises, both house and distillery were sold in 1830. Later the building became the New royal Hotel