‘Birmingham Wheels’, Bordesley
‘Gang Magasine’, Bumper Christmas Number
The ‘magasine’ contains jokes, competition pages, verses, puzzles and games, stories and gang notices. The members of the gang were Alan Thompson (captain and editor of the ‘secret club’ magazine), Graham ...
A Boy and a Catch of Fish
This photograph shows a boy and a catch of fish, with the fishing rod and basket beside a tree.
African Barkcloth Beater
This barkcloth beater, made from wood and horn, was collected in Africa by the traveller and diarist Helen Caddick, who lived in York Road, Edgbaston.
Drawing of a Church by Jessy Watt
Drawing of Trees by Gregory Watt
Birmingham born Gregory Watt (1777-1804) was the son of the inventor James Watt’s second marriage, to Ann McGregor. Gregory and his younger sister Jessy (1779-1794) were both accomplished child artists ...
Drawing of Trees by Gregory Watt
Handmade admission ticket to ‘The Consul’s Will’
Handmade admission ticket to ‘The Consul’s Will’
Illustrated script to ‘The Consul’s Will’ by Arthur Wallis
Arthur Wallis (1874-1933), wrote plays with his brothers to entertain the family at Christmas, including ‘The Consul’s Will’ which he wrote when he was 15.
Locomotive and Tender built for the Pitmaston Moor Green Model Railway
Just outside the boundaries of the Edgbaston Calthorpe Estate lay Sir John Holder’s estate at Pitmaston, close to Joseph Chamberlain’s home at Highbury. The Holders were brewers – a magnificent tiled ...
Photograph of Arthur Wallis as a child
Train spotting at New Street Station by J.H. Russell
As well as the street, other public spaces provided a means of entertainment. Train spotting was a very popular hobby for school boys.