London, The Old Curiosity Shop c.1875
Photo ref:
L130121
More about this scene
In the crowded area between Lincoln's Inn Fields and the Aldwych there have been massive changes. The first was the building of the Aldwych and Kingsway at the beginning of the 20th century. This caused the Sardinian Chapel to be moved several hundred yards north. Later in the century the Church Times left its distinctive building and the W H Smith distribution centre became the London School of Economics Library. It is remarkable that the Old Curiosity Shop has survived. It was built in about 1570, and is said to be both London's oldest shop and the inspiration for Charles Dickens's home of Little Nell. Although the shop was long known to have a Dickens association, it is interesting to see that its fascia lettering has become more Gothicised in the 20th century (see photographs number L1305025 and L1305703). The cobbles have been replaced by tarmac, and the business has changed, but the buildings on each side remain the same.
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