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St Giles Fair, Oxford CC49_00539
St Giles Fair, Oxford, Oxfordshire, September 1905.
Photographed by Henry William Taunt (1842-1922) on silver gelatin glass plate negative. Despite the bustle of St Giless Fair, the photographer Henry Taunt has inevitably attracted attention perched, presumably on a stepladder, above the fairgoers. Employees of the ornately decorated Taylors Royal Electric Coliseum are drumming up business, and a Fried Fish and Chip Potato wagon stands beside the gas lamp. St Giless Fair had evolved from a parish wake first mentioned in 1624 into a major amusement fair with special trains bringing visitors from far afield. Taunt photographed the fair from the late 1860s, hoping of course to sell many images, and also out of personal interest. Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places. © Historic England
Media ID 10928853
Filename: CC49_00539.jpg
Size: 4960 x 3795 (11.8MB)
Date: 17th June 2015
Source: Historic England
Credit: Historic England
Source: Historic England Archive
Archive Edwardian Event Fairground Leisure People Picturing England Recreation
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> Historic Images > Historic Images 1920s to 1940s > Photos of Edwardian England
> Historic Images > Picturing England
> The way we were > Leisure > Fairs and carnivals
> The way we were > Victoriana > Victorian people and costumes
> The way we were > Victoriana > Victorian shopping and dining
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this photograph, St Giles Fair in Oxford comes alive with the vibrant energy of Edwardian England. Taken in September 1905 by Henry William Taunt, the image showcases the bustling atmosphere of the fairground as people from all walks of life gather to enjoy the festivities. Taunt, perched above the scene on a stepladder, skillfully captures the moment with an ornately decorated Taylors Royal Electric Coliseum in the foreground. Employees of the establishment can be seen drumming up business, while a Fried Fish and Chip Potato wagon stands beside a gas lamp, adding to the enticing aroma of the fair. St Giles Fair had a rich history, evolving from a parish wake first mentioned in 1624 into a major amusement fair that attracted visitors from far and wide. Taunt, who began photographing the fair from the late 1860s, was undoubtedly drawn to the lively scene before him, both for commercial purposes and out of personal interest. This photograph is a testament to the enduring charm of the English fairground, with its colorful displays, enticing food stalls, and the promise of excitement and adventure. The photograph, taken on a silver gelatin glass plate negative, is a precious piece of history that transports us back in time to a moment of joy and celebration. The intricate details, from the intricately decorated Coliseum to the expressions on the faces of the fairgoers, make this image a must-see for anyone interested in the history of England, events, people, recreation, and leisure.
