Old Curiosity Shop, London 1950s

This authentic 1950s colour photograph captures the historic charm of The Old Curiosity Shop, located on Portsmouth Street in Holborn, London. Famed for its traditional association with the Charles Dickens novel, the timber-framed building is shown here as an “Antique and Modern Art” shop, with its white-washed walls and dark beams well-preserved. Small Union Jack flags are draped above the windows, which are filled with intricate porcelain and glassware that draw the attention of several passersby. The pedestrians, dressed inquintessential mid-century fashion including tailored woollen coats, hats, and high-waisted trousers, provide a wonderful sense of scale and social context. The adjacent taller brick buildings and the narrow street create a sheltered, intimate atmosphere typical of this historic corner of the capital. This archival print is a beautiful record of London’s literary heritage and post-war street life, making it an ideal resource for historical research, editorial use, or to print for yourself as a unique piece of cultural history.