1. Market Stalls

Carte de Visite - front

This carte de visite has no title or date but the back has no medals illustrated, suggesting that the card would have been produced in 1871 or earlier. The scene may be market stalls in Fife, Scotland.

Question 1

Do you recognise the scene? If so, please email me.

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs

Question 1.

Answer

Thank you to Eric Eunson for telling me more about this photograph. Eric has been collecting postcards and photographs of Levenmouth and the East Neuk of Fife for over 30 years, and is currently writing a book about Leven, which he describes as the 'Cinderella' town of Fife.

Eric wrote:

Leven

"I can identify this photo. The market scene is Leven High Street. I can date this accurately to 1868, and substantiate arriving at such a specific date.

This picture does not show the Royal Bank of 1869.

Adam Diston's address, Railway Cottage. does not appear on the 1866 OS map, nor is Diston noted as a Leven photographer in 1866. He was in Cupar in 1867 and I believe he did not come to Leven until 1868.

The evidence suggests Adam Diston had Railway Cottage erected in 1868. Railway cottage stood near Leven's original station, which was replaced in 1889 by one nearer the town.

A new road was made to the station. Adam Diston's house, Talbot Cottage, was built on the corner. It was the first house built there. In the same year Diston adds "& Son" to his photographs."

Eric Eunson, Leven, Fife, Scotland: September 11, 2009

Eric added:

Leven

"The market day photograph above shows a unique depiction of one of the last 17th century buildings in the town centre, the pantiled shop of Geordie Lochtie the draper, projecting into the street on the left.

The Town Council were eager to remove these obstructions from the narrow street, and this was pulled down in 1874. This is quite the best of three known pictures of Leven market, which had dwindled almost to nothing by the 1900s. The history of this from its barony days is a vital part of the history of Leven.

Eric Eunson, Leven, Fife, Scotland: September 23, 2009

2.

Outmost Beacon

Carte de Visite - front

Carte de Visite - back

This carte de visite has no title, except for the note written on the back, which ends with the interesting comment: "Boy stooping is Jim"

The photo is not dated, but the two medals on the back of the carte suggest that it would have been produced between 1871 and 1876.

It may be the shore of the Firth of Forth in Fife, Scotland.

Question 2

Do you recognise the scene? If so, please email me.

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs

Question 2.

Answer

Thank you to Eric Eunson who replied:

River Leven

"This view with the sailing ship is the mouth of the River Leven looking out to sea. I agree with your date range."

Eric Eunson, Leven, Fife, Scotland: September 11, 2009

Eric added:

River Leven

"The ship at the river mouth predates the construction of the Leven Dock in 1879, before which ships were often just run ashore in the sandy bay which was formalised to create the dock, and also along the foreshore near the mouth of the river.

Again it shows a scene which would soon be obsolete. The Dock was a failure, hastened in its demise by the opening of Methil Dock in 1889. It was finally infilled in 1910, and the maritime trade of Leven was at an end.

Eric Eunson, Leven, Fife, Scotland: September 23, 2009