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King Edward Statue Unveiling

Historic Photographs
David Oswald
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Historic Photographs Details
An Adelphi Series postcard showing the public unveiling of the statue of King Edward VII at the corner of Union Bridge and Union Terrace in October 1914.

A large crowd assembled for the event despite inclement weather. The statue, which was funded by public subscription, was designed by Alfred Drury and unveiled by Lord Bryce. It replaced a statue of Prince Albert that was moved to the area in front of the Central Library at the other end of Union Terrace.

Aberdeen Local Studies hold two copies of this postcard. In reference to the statue, someone has written on the rear of one: "Very nice. If you saw it you would say they could cut anything in granite".

The other postcard appears to have the latter part of a longer message dating from the First World War period. It is addressed to Camille Briendo at Châtéau de Nantes and reads "I hope I shall be accepted but as I am slightly short-sighted, I may be rejected. Perhaps I shall see you before this war is over. As soon as I know, I shall write you. As long as I am here I shall".

Also of interest in the postcard's image is a large sign for James Bannochie & Sons at their premises at 19 Belmont Street. They were a well established firm of plasterers and tilers in Aberdeen. James Bannochie died aged 70 on 29 June 1909.

The roof of the building at 49 Belmont Street, then known as the Trades Hall, and what would eventually become the Belmont Cinema, is painted to read "Coliseum". The Coliseum Cinema was opened on 22 August 1910 and was run by Messers Walker and Company.
Union Bridge
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