Today we bring to you more photographs from the west end of London circa 1880 to 1900. As previously mentioned, this club was a hotbed for the advent of European bohemians and creatives. It is recorded that the likes of Squire Bancroft, Ivan Berlyn and John Clayton visited there alongside the highly regarded double act Cullen and Carthy.
Despite existing on the fringes, the club’s popularity was phenomenal. So much so that it was once said that the sun never sets on the British Empire and the drinks never stop flowing at the Floating Heads.
In the morning you would find patrons slumped in chairs fast asleep alongside performers who had stayed up all night drinking coffee and spirits, discussing new ideas.
The seats would begin to fill up midday with groups of creatives and free thinkers who would endlessly discuss cultural topics and how best to put the world to rights.
By late afternoon there would be rattles from the upright piano and bass as musicians experimented with new styles.
By early evening a variety of performers would warm up the stage before the Floating Heads appeared. By this time everyone present was jolly from drink and spaced from drugs, and everything would carry on until the last person crashed.
What a time and place to be alive!
It’s not long now until spooky season and we can’t wait to share a whole new collection with you.
Watch this space…
TVUP
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