« Lost: One Very Large London Street »
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 10:25AM 
How much is lost to human memory in a relatively short time! It is hard to imagine that 100 years ago someone would take a 4" x 5" glass negative image of a busy street in the heart of London and a collector today cannot, no matter how much effort expended, tell anyone where it was taken – or find anyone who can.
You might assume that a pair of two-story columns that carry the name Ontario set in this wide thoroughfare, and a series of smaller columns crowned with sculpture and adorned with wreaths and garlands, would provide all one would need to get the answer. You would be wrong. No online search of Ontario, the date (1911), monuments, street names, has turned up any images or descriptions to verify that what you see before your eyes actually ever existed. Today it is a matter of no apparent historical importance.
Of course, as steeped in English history as I may be, not being an citizen of Great Britain or having the benefit of lifelong exposure to the published trivia of the 20th century there, perhaps I should not be surprised. I have accustomed myself to having the wealth of far more arcane knowledge at my computer keyboard fingertips, so I am unreasonably frustrated when what I want to know does not appear before my eyes. Spoiled, no? [In case you don't recognize it, this is the textual equivalent of a lying down, kicking, screaming tantrum]
I am transported in time by this image. I am virtually certain it is not a figment of my imagination. If you can shed some light – and I am sure someone can – I would be eternally grateful.
What we see and know: Signs on the side of the bus advertise the Coronation Exhibition (George V) at the Great White City exhibition grounds (covering 140 acres at Shepherd's Bush) making 1911 the date; it is the Victoria - Hampstead Heath route going to Malden Road, Tottenham Road, Charing Cross, Whitehall, and Victoria Station; also advertisements for Heinz Baked Beans and Pears Soap. The large wagon with canvas cover reads Rose's Lime Juice (still available today). The Hansom cab has a top-hatted driver sitting high above the traffic.
NOTE December 15, 2009: I promised (above) to be "eternally grateful" if someone would identify the streetscape above – and now an accommodating Londoner has done just that! See the comment below. I knew that the right person would happen along and it has been sooner rather than later. Thank you! [A knowledgeable reader from Scotland did the same for me a few months ago, identifying an Edinburgh street in this Streetscape section]
Reader Comments (3)
Dear Sir - I saw your wesbsite when searching for antique london photo's. I can identify your picture. The clue is the flag in the distance on the LHS - as that is flying over the main tower of the houses of Parliament. Because Parliament is on the river, the view above is most likely to be facing South or North, taken on the North Bank. Indeed the busier of these two possible views is "whitehall" which runs into "Parliament street" and "Parliament square" (if facing south). This is confirmed by the sloping roof you see in the distance, which is the edge of Westminter Abbey, in Parliament Square. If you look at this view in Google earth you realise, what all londoners know :), that the two ontario blocks have been demolished (bombed??) and replaced in part by the UK's main war memorial (the cenotaph). You'll also realise that the photographer is standing almost at the entrance to Downing street (to his/her RHS) The striking building on the right is (I think!) the foreign office - but a quick look on google maps should help you confirm that. If you look at the streEt view in google earth you will find a photo taken from a very similar location ( albeit ruined by roadworks)!
Anyway - hope that helps
A londoner..... :)
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