Four men on a rooftop during building works (Cambridge, probable) c.1890
Four men on a rooftop during building works (Cambridge, probable). c.1890. These photographs are of a previously unpublished Victorian photograph album acquired at auction in Ely in 2026. It is one of a series documenting Cambridge and locations throughout Cambridgeshire.
You can the full album by clicking HERE.
Four men on a rooftop during building works (Cambridge, probable). MBHPC-018
Four men on a rooftop during building works (Cambridge, probable). MBHPC-019
Four men on a rooftop during building works (Cambridge, probable). MBHPC-020
Photographs 018, 019, 020
Reference: MBHPC-018, MBHPC-019, MBHPC-020
Title: Four men on a rooftop during building works (Cambridge, probable). MBHPC-018
Identification: Probable Cambridge.
Confidence: Cambridge 90%
Date: c.1880–1910 (subject to refinement).
Description: Four men pose on temporary timber staging upon a rooftop, apparently during building or maintenance work. One holds a coil of rope while another appears to operate lifting equipment. The surrounding skyline is dominated by chimney stacks and institutional buildings. I like that they have clearly got some giggles going on these pictures. Note the broken shovel too, perhaps that’s what has tickled them.
Notes:
One of a sequence of three near-identical photographs (see MBHPC-019 and MBHPC-020), probably taken during the same session.
The location has not yet been securely identified but is thought likely to be within central Cambridge owing to the surrounding roofscape.
Part of the Michelle Bullivant Victorian Photograph Collection (MBHPC), comprising previously unpublished photographs from a Victorian album purchased at auction in Ely in 2026.
Four men on a rooftop during building works (Cambridge, probable). MBHPC
© Michelle Bullivant. Image from the Victorian Photograph Album Collection. Please contact the author before reproducing.
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