Still going, a photo from Essex, England

Photographer's Note

I love to see old signs such as this which give us a clue to some of the history of a place.

Researching on the internet I discovered that "Hart's Books were founded in 1836 by Henry Hart, W. Hart and Son Ltd. started life as Saffron Walden's finest printers and the original printing press can still be seen today at Saffron Walden Museum.

Over the years the company grew to become the town's favourite retailer of stationary, musical instruments and books.

For over 175 years Hart's has been Saffron Walden's independent book seller of choice, occupying shops in the centre of town."
(Hart's Book Shop)

I found a picture of their present premises, and it is immediately to the left of this passageway.
It is great to know that they are still in business!

Thanks for looking.

ikeharel, jhm, Fis2, macjake, Royaldevon, ktanska, pajaran, ChrisJ has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ikeharel (114409) 2021-05-04 9:00

Hello Jean,
There are a number of companies in England that exist some or more than 200 years - but les known private establishment that are "still going"...
Nice documentary presented.
Good evening,
Ike

jhm (211738) 2021-05-04 9:45

Hello Jean,

You chose a nice angle with the look through with the gate as frame
Nice image, inclusive old house.
Lovely composition, excellent sharp and clear.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John

holmertz (103510) 2021-05-04 9:46

Hello Jean,
It's a beautiful gate yo this narrow street with the entrance to the bookshop to the left. The photo is neatly cropped. It's impressive that they've managed to stay open for 185 years, especially now that e-books and online sales are killing lots of bookshops. I get a rather bad conscience for buying most of my books online instead of favouring my local private bookshop. But online shopping is so convenient and much cheaper!
Kind regards,
Gert

Fis2 (171763) 2021-05-04 9:55

Witaj Jean!
A very nice alley, the gate is interesting.
I like it.
Good framing, colors and light.
Well done.
Good evening.
Krzysztof

macjake (98544) 2021-05-04 10:01

Hi Jean
this is exactly what TE is all about...showing us a photo and we as viewers learning something from it. Its not just about the photo, its the story of the family. Great post, well done.
cheers
Craig

Royaldevon (86318) 2021-05-04 10:33

Hello Jean,

There is so much to enjoy, here! The photograph is well composed, using the archway to create a natural frame to the scene. The arch does not show the sculptural beauty of many archways that we see posted but it is no less interesting for that! It reveals the history of the family shop, it captures the vertical b&w striped, pattern, repeated in the open, vertical pattern at the back of the archway. We can see the old, flagged pattern on the floor of the passageway and how it has been mended with more modern materials and, I suspect that the signs, at the left, tell us something further about the history of the place.

Well seen and photographed!

My kind regards,
Bev :-)

Tue (93280) 2021-05-04 10:38

Hello Jean,
A great photo of the old passageway and especially that old and worn-off sign for the bookstore. The wooden parts as well as the brick wall on the other side look really good, you also handled the lighting skilfully.
Lars

ktanska (45018) 2021-05-04 10:50

Hi Jean,
Just wonderful view of this gate to the inner yard of old industrial site. Old text above is full of history and that pavement certainly has many layers of patches. Nice to read on your note that the company is still in business nearby.
Kari

lousat (139890) 2021-05-04 11:45

Hi Jean,the old sign remains, but also the company that over the years has always been appreciated, great catch, but I am very curious about the word "riccio" in Italian on the right, can you tell me something more? "Riccio" means hedgehog. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

pajaran (116885) 2021-05-04 11:47

Pozdrav.
Lep prolaz i stara arhitektura, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama, kontrastom, perspektivom i interesantnim tekstom.
Lep natpis stare firme iznad prolaza.
Dobar rad, lepa fotografija.
Zelim vam sve najbolje.
Paja

Silvio1953 (222721) 2021-05-04 12:15

Ciao Jean, fascinating history of old printers, beautiful photo with fine details, excellent clarity, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

jemaflor (148072) 2021-05-04 23:21

Hi Jean,
well framed, interesting old signs, good management for the contrast capture and with the depth effect, tfs.

dedee (3235) 2021-05-05 4:52

Hi Jean
Lots to like here. Very good point of view. I particularly like the decorative ironwork and theaged sign.

ChrisJ (172338) 2021-05-06 9:52

Hello Jean,

In a world of constant change it's nice to see some things remain static, such as the operation of this store from 1836. The multinationals have taken over too much away from life as we used to know it. Tfs!

clic (76) 2021-05-07 6:18

Hello Jean Here is a moody incentive to visit this ancestral library attracting the mature customers by means of the noble scents of mixed vintage and new literature! I wouldn't be surprised to still find some ink bottles and fountain pens in there!
A faded advertisement panel, like this one, is as much attractive as a new one because we have to pay much attention to the topic!
Congratulations for such a nice souvenir of yesteryears that reveals my age!
Cheers

mkamionka (75009) 2021-05-08 11:06

Hi Jean,
the sign above seems to be older than anything else in the scene. Very well spotted. This ancient element nicely decorates the place. I like the photogenically patched surface of the footpath. The windows further in the view seem to be not straight also indicating certain age. Overall a very nice effect.
Very well seen and captured,
M

jmdias (116287) 2021-06-29 9:59

jean

curious sign, looks like it is only the entrance of a street or courtyard, not a shop. it is really old, Brazil got its independence in 1822 and our second emperor was a boy when the shop was founded.

take care

jorge