This is a guest blog by Benjamin Knowles from Victorian Lampposts
Firstly I would like to thank Geerte for creating this wonderful blog, I know many people have (like me) received a great deal of pleasure in reading it and I do hope you continue.
Victorian Lampposts, a family passion for the last 30 years, and despite common misconception, they’ve actually had a rather short lifespan to date. During the Victorian era, lampposts were quite different to the type we expect to see today. Mainly gas powered, a civil servant would be employed to perform his rounds at dusk and light each one in turn. Since the early 1900’s the lamppost has still stirred the same human emotions, if they’re dimly lit they become haunting and eerie, if they glow bold and bright they give us a feeling of safety and security. It’s strange to think how such an innate object can stir such feelings.
100 years later and the general public are increasingly fond of these pieces of Period Victorian architecture. Members of the public in a city suburb in Bristol recently complained when the Local council removed 30 Victorian lampposts and relocated them to a more fashionable and wealthy area.
For me and our small family business, this love continues, as we continue to enjoy, to restore and to recreate these timeless Victorian masterpieces, lighting up a small corner of our world whilst keeping integrity, craftsmanship and passion at the core of our efforts.
Picture taken of our latest Victorian Lamppost reinstalled in all its glory in Southport.
If you would like to know more about our Lamppost regeneration and recreation please see our Victorian Lampposts at EnglishLampposts.co.uk
Benjamin
I suspect people were largely confined to their houses after dark, in the pre street lamp period – it was too dark and too dangerous to be out in the evening. So I can imagine the freedom that came with efficient lighting in public places. If the new lampposts were attractive as well, that was an added bonus.
Great article, I love the old lamps, and each time I walk through London’s St James’ Park at dusk I wonder how it would look if it was gas lighting the lamps rather than electricity.
You may be interested in a couple of articles about lighting on my blog, the first one is about the old lamplighters of London:
http://thevictorianist.blogspot.com/2010/10/victorian-lamplighter.html
And the second, simply about general lighting in the home:
http://thevictorianist.blogspot.com/2010/11/beyond-door-or-homes-of-victorians.html
I’ve added your blog to my blogroll, today is the first time I’ve looked at it and I have enjoyed it.
Many thanks!
Thanks for your blog about Victorian. I am a lover. You might like to drop by my blog and see it. Thanks, Richar. myoldhistorichouse.blogspot.com
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