About this picture: Sourced from an unknown printed article. It is a particularly fine example of social documentation, as study of its details shows neighbours on their doorsteps in conversation, adopting the “doorstep arm-fold”, children in ragged clothes but playing happily, a skipping rope, a dad or grandad apparently “telling off” a child while the baby in the pram looks bemused. The houses have whitewashed fronts to eye level, with small panes of glass. There is also a classic streetlamp. This photo repays closer study.
Although this is reputed to be in the Hands Street area of Litherland of the 1920s, there is actually no direct evidence for this (unless you know different). It is available on Alamy under unknown location with a date of 1925. If nothing else, this scene was representative of street scenes at the time.
Derivatives:
Detail of the “doorstep arm-fold” and neighbours chatting
Detail of children playing and a skipping rope
Detail of a dad or grandad “telling off” a young child with bemused baby in pram
