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How many of us have an old photograph that contains a mystery person - maybe an ancestor, an old friend, work colleagues or neighbours? Or perhaps you know the people, but can't identify the place? Some of us inherit photos that we know nothing about, and wish to learn where they were taken.... or when. This section of Historic Coventry is where some of those photos can be displayed, both for our viewing pleasure, and in the hope that we might learn more about them from visitors who may recognise some element of your Coventry related pictures....

If you recognise any people or places in the photographs in this section, please contact me so we can solve some of these mysteries. Equally, if you have any such photos of your own, please feel free to contact me, so we can arrange for you to send me a scan - and let's see if someone else can solve your mystery!
 

Did you shop here?

Steve Archer has kindly given me a 'photo-mystery' with a difference here. Rather than having some photographs to identify - we have what appear to be the glass signs from a shop. Steve recently found them in his attic, in Coundon, Coventry, and is hoping that someone can shed some light on them.

The first two signs give the name "Robins and Son"....

Robins and Son Shop Sign.
Robins and Son Shop Sign.

And the last piece of signage tells us something about the type of shop we're looking for....

'Exclusive Styles' Shop Sign.
Along with these glass panels was found a piece of white card with a sticker on saying;
Please take care when trying on not to soil or scratch the soles. Thank you!

So, does anyone out there remember trying on any shoes or clothes at this establishment? We'd love to hear from you.



We do indeed appear to have an early probable answer to this one. Derick Parsons has written to me, and sent this excerpt from Spennell's Coventry Business Directory from 1922. In the 'Tailors & Drapers' section he found this entry...
Directory showing Robins & Co. in 1922
The type of establishment fits perfectly with the signs. Does anyone else have memories of this shop, or of the proprietor, F. Baird? Many thanks to Derick, who also found an entry that could help us with the Godiva Harriers mystery.



 
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