Featured Large framed photo of a bank interior - interesting!

Discussion in 'Ephemera and Photographs' started by Batman_2000, Jul 5, 2015.

  1. Batman_2000

    Batman_2000 Well-Known Member

    I came across this framed photo in a charity shop yesterday, and almost didn't buy it... walked out of the door, and immediately went back in again to take another look! The photo itself measures 23.5x18cm and I'm guessing it was taken late 50s or early 60s. There's a sticker on the back for Geldart Gallery, Henbury, Macclesfield, Cheshire (UK) which probably dates the frame to the 80s.

    The glass and photo are both very reflective so I had some trouble taking images of it, but there's a sign behind the counter that says 'Bank Raids' and the names of the tillers are (L to R) Miss McNab, Mrs Bradshaw and Mr Tilley. I'd love to know where this is, I can't think any buildings so grand in Macclesfield, so possibly Stockport or Manchester. A search round the web hasn't yielded anything yet, but maybe there are clues that I'm overlooking?

    Anyway, just thought I'd share because it seemed quite unusual to me!

    P1030026.JPG

    P1030027a.jpg

    P1030028a.jpg

    P1030031.JPG
     
  2. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    Why do they have scales next to each teller? Did banks weigh gold there?

    Quite grand. I think someplace more special than a normal bank.
     
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  3. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    Huh. What do you suppose the tellers weighed on those scales?
     
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  4. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    :hilarious: GMTA, cluttered!
     
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  5. Batman_2000

    Batman_2000 Well-Known Member

    I wondered about the scales too... I thought it might be a post-office at first, until I saw the 'Bank Raids' notice. Hmm, could still be a post-office???
     
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  6. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    Is "Bank Raid" an English thing? Never heard of it.
     
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  7. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    The photo is more 50s than 80s, but the framing is later. Very cool. I'm guessing those are coin scales. Back when, pounds sterling were sterling.
     
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  8. Batman_2000

    Batman_2000 Well-Known Member

    I haven't heard of it either, Bakersma. I wish I could read the small lettering underneath, but all I can make out is 'Bank Raids'. I guess this was at a time when bank robberies were in the news...
     
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  9. Batman_2000

    Batman_2000 Well-Known Member

    Makes sense, evelyb30, thanks :). I'm struck by the depth of the counter, and how the tellers are so exposed (no divides or partitions).
     
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  10. Pat P

    Pat P Well-Known Member

    I love the woodwork, and that ceiling is incredible.
     
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  11. Batman_2000

    Batman_2000 Well-Known Member

    Me too, Pat P, it's very opulent with all the marble and the domed glass roof.
     
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  12. KingofThings

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

    Or maybe more like 'a run' on banks by depositors.
    Rgeardless... You heard your 'little voice' and even if this photo comes to nothing, we should listen to it more. :)
    We've all got those things we left behind but shouldn't have... Right? :p
     
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  13. Batman_2000

    Batman_2000 Well-Known Member

    Agree! I've kicked myself a few times for hesitating too long ;-) Now I'm trying to decide where to hang this new one - very pleased I listened to the inner voice!
     
  14. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    The scales are for weighing coinage deposited at the bank, it was bagged up rather than rolled as is done in the US, the practise is still done today, I bag up £20 in Twenty Pence coins and they are weighed rather than counted.
    The Bank Raid poster will be seeking information on a recent robbery at that or a nearby branch with a probable reward.
    I would say it is early to mid 60`s, but the location could be any city.
    All the major banks in my city were like that when I was a kid.
     
  15. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    Most of the banks in my city that looked like that are now bars or restaurants with a theme name like "The Bank" or "The Vault" or "The Exchange", "Chequers" etc
    Here`s one such place in Bristol.

    Ex bank now bar.

    6230139-large.jpg
     
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  16. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    LOL.
    This was my first bank where I deposited my pocket money when I was 5.
    It is now a bar called "The Bank"

    5081298-large.jpg
     
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  17. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    Well it would be hard to waste an interior as beautiful as that....
     
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  18. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    That Bristol bar is so elegant!
     
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  19. silverthwait

    silverthwait Well-Known Member

    ...I'm thinking wedding venues...
     
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  20. Batman_2000

    Batman_2000 Well-Known Member

    Thanks! Seems obvious now I think about it!


    It's likely to have been a bank in a large town or City. My home town didn't have banks like this since the place was too small for this kind of Victorian style grandeur, even though there were a few banks there in the 60s. That Bristol Bank is really something!
     
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2015
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