maccalenny
proper brummie kid
Hi - wonder if someone can help. Two members of my family are described on various certs etc as 'huckster' shopkeepers - wondered if anyone knew what it means?
Thanks!
Thanks!
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'Huckster' shopkeeper
- Thread starter maccalenny
- Start date
Lloyd
master brummie
Perhaps not: the term has remained for its derogatory use, but most Hucksters were honest people working hard for a meagre living as a middleman (of both sexes, natch).
E.L. Henry's work is, rather like ours, the recording of recent history in the locations we know. He never achieved great fame, as neither do the press photographers of today, but to future generations (ours in Henry's case) they picture for us the history that is but a forgotten memory once the eye witnesses have passed.
The detail (my interest with such scenes) is perfect. The roadside tree, by then established 3 or 4 decades, has grown such that its roots lift the pavement (sorry, sidewalk) stones: the prospective buyer, studying the produce carefully: the Huckster, her attitude daring him to find any fault: the dog, hoping for a treat: and the horse, probably once frightened by a dog, watching it closely.
E.L. Henry's work is, rather like ours, the recording of recent history in the locations we know. He never achieved great fame, as neither do the press photographers of today, but to future generations (ours in Henry's case) they picture for us the history that is but a forgotten memory once the eye witnesses have passed.
The detail (my interest with such scenes) is perfect. The roadside tree, by then established 3 or 4 decades, has grown such that its roots lift the pavement (sorry, sidewalk) stones: the prospective buyer, studying the produce carefully: the Huckster, her attitude daring him to find any fault: the dog, hoping for a treat: and the horse, probably once frightened by a dog, watching it closely.
E
Elizabeth Redmond
Guest
There were several small shops in the street i grew up in and surrounding streets, these shops in the 50s sold grocery, greengrocery
bundles of wood for the fire,and often little household items,tin openers small stuff like that, they were all known by our mom's and dads as Hucksters,of course us kids being so much more fashionable called them the shop.
bundles of wood for the fire,and often little household items,tin openers small stuff like that, they were all known by our mom's and dads as Hucksters,of course us kids being so much more fashionable called them the shop.
maccalenny
proper brummie kid
hi - thanks everyone for your thoughts on this. I love the painting! Doesn't look much like Deritend does it.......! Thanks Liz for your memories - that sounds just like what I know of the shops - strange how words move in and out of the language isn't it.
Kate
Kate
E
Elizabeth Redmond
Guest
Certainly is Kate, the one thing most of our little Huckster/shops had in common was there was always a little chair for the customer to sit on,and they opened late,
This Carl Chinn article for the Evening Mail (25/3/1995) demonstrates what an important part these small shops played in their local communities. Viv
Source: British Newspaper Archive
Source: British Newspaper Archive
Something which always impressed me when I went with mum to buy things from a local shop was the way the shopkeeper would put the item in a paper bag, grab the two corners of the bag and swing it over a couple of times to form two twists to keep the bag closed.
I'd also watched my mum do this many times in her cake/bread shop. She'd load the bag with buns etc and round they'd go, no squashing or damage. Amazing. Funny the details you remember.Viv
I'd also watched my mum do this many times in her cake/bread shop. She'd load the bag with buns etc and round they'd go, no squashing or damage. Amazing. Funny the details you remember.Viv
Keith Belcher
Brummie babby
VE Day 80
This is the “hucksters” shop at 179 Scholefield Street, Nechells, Birmingham pictured around 1932, with my mother Olive in front. She lived there with her sister and mother.
When she passed 16 years ago, we discovered her treasure trove of 100’s of letters between her and my RAF flyer father Ken covering 1943 to 1961. Dads letter to mom dated 7th May 1945 referencing VE Day is one of 12 chosen by the BBC for display [with video] at the National Arboretum until November. Proud to represent Brummies at this special time.
This is the “hucksters” shop at 179 Scholefield Street, Nechells, Birmingham pictured around 1932, with my mother Olive in front. She lived there with her sister and mother.
When she passed 16 years ago, we discovered her treasure trove of 100’s of letters between her and my RAF flyer father Ken covering 1943 to 1961. Dads letter to mom dated 7th May 1945 referencing VE Day is one of 12 chosen by the BBC for display [with video] at the National Arboretum until November. Proud to represent Brummies at this special time.
Attachments
wow keith how wonderful...and how wonderful that your mom and dads letters will be remembered and put on display at the NMA...also what lovely photos you must be so proud...thank you for sharing with us all..could i ask if you knew about the letters before your mom passed away...
lyn
lyn
Keith Belcher
Brummie babby
Lyn
When mom passed we retrieved a suitcase full of photographs we knew about. But then at the bottom of her wardrobe we found the suitcase shown. My brother and I knew nothing about it. It contains loads of letters, certificates, wedding cake supports, brides horseshoes and other stuff. At first we couldn't read them, thinking it would be invading their privacy. but after 10 years we dove in and found them so endearing and loving. We are considering donating them to Birmingham Library.
well i think its all wonderful keith... i am lucky because going forward i do have enough family to pass our old family photos etc down to for many years to come because although the youngsters may not be interested in our family ancestry now they could like many of us become interested later in life...thanks again
lyn
lyn
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My Mom had one exactly the same as your mothers Keith. She kept in under her bed full of letters and cards dad sent her in WW1. We were always "ordered" never to look into it, but as kids how could you resist. The lovely cards, mainly sent from France were so intricate and lovely. Then after Dad died I visited her one day, and seeing ashes in the garden, found she had got someone to burn them all. Even now feel so sad she did that
Richard Dye
master brummie
That suitcase was a treasure chest of your families history as well as the changes we have all seen in our lives!