Latest posts tagged with #TurkishBaths on Bluesky
Turkish baths attendant sitting outside the hot rooms reached through three doorways designed as a 20th century take on the Islamic keyhole-shaped arch. Two bathers working up a sweat in the hot rooms.
Are internal doorways allowed on #AdoorableThursday? If so, here are three interlinked doorways to the hot rooms in the Victorian-style #TurkishBaths at Gilkes Street, Middlesbrough, opened in 1933 and, sadly, demolished in 1998. 🗃️ #C19th
Stepped into a time machine yesterday at the Royal Turkish Baths in Harrogate. Pure Victorian opulence, steamy sanctuaries, and a plunge pool that’ll wake you right up. Feeling thoroughly revitalised. A very specific pleasure indeed. #Harrogate #TurkishBaths #SelfCare #UKTravel
A vintage postcard version from one of my photos of the super sexy Kilker Alcaraz (Mr. Leather Europe 2012) shot in Chicago, 2019.
#jacksonphotografix #gaysky #gayfineart #AIsky #vintage #homoerotica #turkishbaths #MrLeatherEurope
Diagram of hot air flow through the hot rooms, cooling as it goes until finally extracted.
Only after Tesla invented the alternating motor was it possible to efficiently ventilate Victorian #TurkishBaths.
Sepia photograph of the four storey Hotel Victoria in a busy street scene with a tram, and single decker and double decker open top buses. Demolished in the 1960s. The last sighting of the baths so far was in 1915 and it may be that they were, as were several others, originally closed ‘for the duration’, but never reopened after the war.
The hotel’s Turkish baths advertisement in the Southend Standard (1 Jun 1905) gives prices and opening hours. Tickets cost 2/- or 21/-for a book of twelve—though this had been reduced to 18/- by 1907. The baths were open from 11 am till 10 pm, and were closed on Sundays. Ladies day was on Friday.
#onthisday, 25 February 1905, Mr E A Broadhurst, owner of the Hotel Victoria in #Southend, opened the town's only #TurkishBaths in the hotel basement. 'Splendidly furnished & fitted with the latest conveniences'—there was no longer need to go to London for a Turkish. Closure date unknown. 🗃️ #C19th
Advertisement from the Aldershot Military Gazette (4 March 1882) for the Aldershot Turkish baths. They had three hot rooms, washing rooms, 1st and 2nd class dressing rooms and a large plunge. The charges ranged from 2/6 to 1/- with discounts for a dozen bought together. There were also hot and cold slipper baths at 1/6 and 1/-. Refreshments were supplied.
1/3 #onthisday, 24 February 1882, at 2.00 pm, General Sir Daniel Lysons KCB, commanding the #Aldershot Division, opened Sutherland Macdonald's Aldershot #TurkishBaths at 1 South Avenue. Sutherland also let rooms, & used one at the front to #tattoo soldiers from the nearby camp. Prior to this he had…
Advertisement from the Bridgend Chronicle (10 March 1893) for the recently opened baths which were open daily from 8 am till 8 pm. A two guinea subscription allowed unlimited baths during the year. Otherwise the charge was 2/- until 2 pm, and 1/6 afterwards. A book of 12 tickets cost 15/-, and Tuesdays were set aside for 'Ladies only'.
#onthisday, 23 February 1893, the #Neath Turkish Baths Co Ltd opened new #Turkishbaths in Alfred Street. The managers, Mr & Mrs Fraley, had previously managed those in Church Pl which closed 6 yrs earlier. Christadelphian converts were baptised in the plunge pool. The baths closed in 1912. 🗃️ #C19th
#onthisday, 23 February 1863, The #TurkishBaths for the Destitute Poor (popularly known as the People's Bath) opened at 17 Maylor Street #Cork, run by Miss Lizzie Barter & a 'committee of ladies'. Baths cost 1d or—in some cases—free. Cooling-room, 2 hot rms, & bathroom. Closed early 1890s. 🗃️ #C19th
Original drawing of Brodrick’s Baths in Cookridge Street, c.1864. In this first design, each section of the building fits perfectly with the others. The colour image shows a single-storey building, with a central section flanked by two wings, each with a small pointed dome at the end, its façade decorated with horizontal polychrome brick stripes and surmounted by a decorative parapet. The central section has a wide arched recess which frames the doorways for male and female bathers. Above this is a pointed dome; behind it two pointed saucer domes; and behind that, a much large saucer dome with a low cone-topped lantern. At the rear is a tall minaret-styled structure designed to conceal the boiler-house chimney.
Decline and fall of a design - 1. The building actually constructed, included on an early advertising poster, was severely modified. Apart from the striped façade, decorative parapet, and some domes, the building was considerably changed being smaller and simpler. The ‘minaret’ and large central saucer dome have gone, and the remaining three central domes are differently shaped and sized. The central archway is now purely decorative and there are separate entrances, for gentlemen (on the left) and ladies (on the right). The building is smaller, with five instead of six windows in each wing, and these are of a simpler, less expensive design. Finally, the absence of any boiler house flue in a building with Turkish baths, suggests that even this view is not an accurate representation of what was built.
Decline and fall of a design - 2. The more prosaic drawing on the letterhead used by the company at the time is similar to the poster image, but a plain business-like flue is clearly shown behind the central, square-based pitched roof which has replaced the saucer dome.
Decline and fall of a design - 3. In 1880, the company had to increase its income and added a second storey to provide lettable offices, leaving the building looking more or less the same as in this 1969 photo. All the domes were removed and the façade refaced so as to fit in better with its neighbours. Brodrick had not been involved, and local newspapers did not consider this an improvement! When re-opened in 1882, the first-class Turkish baths had a cooling-room with fourteen divans, a fountain ‘with a figure representing one of the naiades holding a water-lily from which a jet of water is thrown’, a plunge pool, and a gallery for smokers made possible by the addition of the second floor. There were three hot rooms at 125°F, 170°F, and 230°F, a shampooing room with four slabs, and a washing room with a variety of showers. The second-class baths were similar, but without a third hot room. Additionally, there were separate baths for women, including a mikveh 'built at the request of the Jewish community, from plans supplied by the Chief Rabbi, and used exclusively by Hebrews…'
#onthisday, 21 February 1867, the Victorian #TurkishBaths in Cookridge St, #Leeds, designed by Cuthbert Brodrick for the Oriental & General Bath Co of Leeds Ltd, was opened. The baths were purchased by Leeds Corporation in 1898, were refurbished, and remained open till 4 February 1965. +ALT 🗃️ #C19th
Advertisement in the Oxford Chronicle (2 March 1861) shortly after the bath opened 'to the Members of the University, and Public generally' giving opening hours and charges. Entrance was 2/- or 1/- according to the time of day, with shampooing an extra 6d.
Advertisement in the Oxford Chronicle (25 May 1861) announcing that the first two hours each day would now be reserved for women. There follows a testimonial from a lady praising its therapeutic capability and recommending it to other ladies.
Auctioneer’s advertisement in the Oxford Chronicle (2 March 1878) for the sale of the baths after Job Tolley's death the previous year. Lists the facilities including the Turkish baths with cooling-room and two hot rooms, showers, etc, two courts, the swimming bath 44ft x 83ft long, and a substantive house. The Bath Street frontage was 64ft with 156ft on the River Cherwell. The baths were unsold, and were presumably sold later by private treaty, but the Turkish baths never re-opened.
#onthisday, 18 February 1861, Job Tolley opened the new #TurkishBaths he had added to his 1827-built swimming baths. He later added Fives, or Racquet, courts. Prices were lower during university vacs and women had two half-days. The baths closed in 1877, about 18 months before Tolley died. 🗃️ #C19th
Monochrome photograph of the two storey Victorian Turkish baths in Mill Street which, apart from the single storey wings at each side, looks very little different from the neighbouring houses. Clearly divided into men's and women's areas, there were separate entrances, each one up a few steps. Behind the building can just be seen the top of an apex roof, probably over the swimming pool.
#onthisday, 14 February 1871, 16 years after their swimming pool opened, #Kidderminster Borough Council added #TurkishBaths. Costing £300, they initially paid their way, taking an average of £1 per week. They closed on 1 December 1932, though the swimming pool remained open till Oct. 1935. 🗃️ #C19th
The Turkish bath end of the pen factory. Although the baths were partially open to men at the end of December 1862, the formal opening of the whole baths was on 12 February following. The red doors led to the baths. A second entrance was later bricked up and converted into an extra window. Built mainly of red brick, the building is exuberantly decorated with polychrome brick chequered arches and panels, and black and white banding. According to the National Heritage List for England, ‘The building’s arcaded elevations take their inspiration from Florentine-Lombard early Renaissance palazzi with corner towers…'
Colour photo taken in 2019 behind the northern end of the building where there is a four-storey section with a tall tapered square chimney. This is next to what was originally the boiler house. It is here that Wiley decided to build his baths. The beauty of this location, from his point of view, was that fresh air could be inexpensively heated by being passed over the flues and steam pipes connecting the boiler house to the factory, and then ducted into the hot rooms.
Sepia head and shoulders portrait of William Edward Wiley, owner of the pencil and pen factory. Wiley was a public-spirited entrepreneur and offered free admittance to his Turkish baths to members of the working classes ‘on the recommendation of any Medical Gentleman.’
#onthisday, 12 February 1863, William Edward Wiley officially opened the #TurkishBaths he built next to his pen & pencil factory in the #Birmingham #JewelleryQuarter. More about it at www.victorianturkishbath.org/_6DIRECTORY/... The hot dry air was heated by excess steam from the factory. 🗃️ #C19th
Remains of a crude Victorian hypocaust. (Photo: Oxford Archaeology)
You post some really fascinating images. Here's the remains of a crude Victorian hypocaust heating one of the earliest Victorian #TurkishBaths, excavated by Oxford Archaeology in 2013. More on the baths at www.victorianturkishbath.org/_6DIRECTORY/... Pilae were unnecessary as channel was bridgeable.
#onthisday, 7 February 1875, Victorian #TurkishBaths were opened at #TunbridgeWells Bathing Establishment—Adie's Baths—which had opened in Calverley Rd the previous yr. They remained open under several managements till at least 1888 despite posh competition from Bishop's Down Hydro, 1878-87 🗃️ #C19th
Advertisement in the Freeman's Journal (5 February 1859) announcing the opening of the baths. At 4/- they were expensive, compared with 2/6 for a cabinet vapour bath. Other types of bath and prices are listed, as are opening hours for men and women. There was an additional charge of 2d for the services of an attendant and 'Ladies and Gentlemen are requested to complain to the Proprietor in case of any irregularity or want of attention, &c, on the part of the Servants.' The baths were closed on Sundays.
#onthisday, 7 February 1859, the first #Dublin #Turkishbaths opened in Temple St, a yr before Dr Barter's 1st in the city. Little known about them—even what type they were—but several owners had court cases involving them (www.victorianturkishbath.org/_6DIRECTORY/...). Final sighting 1870. 🗃️ #C19th
Colour photograph of the building taken in 2016. Striped brickwork in the lower half, topped with blue bricks, and 'oriental' style windows and an upper highly decorated layer of terracotta mouldings, the cupola, and the star and crescent. The modern buildings are best ignored.
Monochrome postcard published by Nevill's showing the Turkish bath cooling-room. The room was divided into a series of divans, or cubicles, each of which was provided with couches, an elaborate mirror, and an occasional table. The ceiling was clad in cream tinted panels with coloured borders, and the floors were covered with soft richly patterned carpets. Around the divans were half-height walnut screens with panels of coloured leaded glass in peacock blue and gold, while the walls, beams, and columns were encased with faïence (tin-glazed earthenware) and tile-work. Even the joints were part of the design, the tiles being purpose-made in various interlocking shapes, in the Moorish manner.
#OnThisDay, 5 February 1895, City of London Alderman Treloar opened the Victorian #TurkishBaths built for Nevill's on a site by Bishopsgate Churchyard which had housed baths of various kinds since c.1817—There's a much illustrated article at www.victorianturkishbath.org/_6DIRECTORY/... +ALT🗃️ #C19th
In the event there were no problems when the Corporation borrowed money for what they called "vapour baths". Sepia photo of the wall-enclosed indoor and outdoor swimming pools and, furthest from the viewer, the Victorian Turkish baths. Behind, part of the town lies into the far distance.
Monochrome photo showing the section of the building, five windows in length, which contained the Turkish baths. Costing £1,100, the suite comprised a dressing room, 3 hot rooms, shampooing room, plunge pool, & cooling-room. The windows are covered with posters with prices, times, etc. The entrance is at the left hand end of the building. Beyond, and adjoining the Turkish baths is the grand main entrance to the baths with a tower at each side, and beyond that is the swimming pool area. A group of children standing on the road are dressed to suggest that the photo dates from the end of the 19th century.
Advertisement announcing the opening of the Turkish baths published in the **Hampshire Independent** on 3 February 1894. Prices for Gentlemen were 1/6 or 1/- according to the time of day. Monday was reserved for Ladies who were initially charged 2/-, though this was soon reduced so as to be the same as the charge for men. The baths were closed on Sundays.
#OnThisDay, 5 Feb 1894, #Southampton Corporation opened #TurkishBaths to complete their Western Shore Road Baths. Because there were no Turkish baths when the Baths & Wash-houses Act was passed, it was thought—wrongly—that local authorities were precluded from building them. Continued…+ALT 🗃️ #C19th
Coloured postcard of Glossop’s Baths and Park. In the foreground is a small lake. A hillside path leads down to a wooden bridge carrying the path over the stream connected to the lake. Behind is a white statue on a pedestal. Beyond the trees and grassy slopes lies a large churchlike building. Connected to it and standing in front as a smaller two section building, one of which is in the shape of a sexagon with a tall chimney stack servicing the boilers. In addition to the baths, the buildings also included a hospital, public library with reading room, and a hall.
#onthisday, 4 February 1889, Wood’s Baths opened in Howard Park, a Jubilee Gift to #Glossop from Samuel and Anne Kershaw Wood. There was a swimming pool, slipper baths, Russian baths, amd #TurkishBaths with their hot rooms, shampooing room, and cooling-room. The Turkish baths closed c.1958. 🗃️ #C19th
Drawing from the British Architect shows the exterior of the two storey high building. At each corner is a spired turret. At the centre is the arched main entrance. There are railings in front and lamps on the gateposts. A horse and rider, and several pedestrians are in the road.
Not very clear monochrome photo of one of the corner turrets, probably taken after the baths had closed.
Plan of the baths shows (top to bottom): G. ashes; H. coals; K. boiler house; I. hottest room (sudatorium); L. warm room (tepidarium); S. cooling-room (frigidarium); M. shampooing room; N. washing room; O. showers; R. private hot and cold slipper baths.
#OnThisDay, 2 February 1878, the formal opening of the Victoria Baths Club at Butterbiggins Road took place on completion of its #TurkishBaths, reported as being 'the only specimen we have in #Glasgow of the Moorish style of architecture'. 'Aquatic football' (ie, water polo) devised here 🗃️ #C19th
Postcard with monochrome photograph of the College Green Turkish baths in Bristol. A rectangular building showing four storeys, with two storey high columns at ground and second floor levels. At each end a wide carriage entrance. A group of children stand foreground left. The building was originally designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in the reign of William IV for his Great Western Hotel. It was built for passengers arriving from America in the famous 'Great Western' steamship, and coaches were provided for the journey to London. All but the façade was demolished in 1982 to make room for an office block.
Coloured postcard showing the interior of the cooling-room. Built on the top floor with windows on the left, in the wall and the sloping roof. Decorative tall fountain in the centre, rugs covering the floor. On each side are open dressing and resting cubicles with wooden partitions approximately 4ft high, and with shelves and a couch within.
Kitschy sepia postcard with "Turkish Baths, College Green, Bristol" in the centre. Placed below, and on each side, are seven titled vignettes showing naked winged cherubim. From top left, anticlockwise, are: DEJECTION - five cherubs, one with a walking stick, being welcomed by a woman holding open a curtain leading to her Temple of Health; COMFORT - a cherub relaxing on a chair in a hot room; ENJOYMENT - a cherub lying prone on a massage bed being shampooed; VIGOUR - a cherub being hosed down by another; FREEDOM - three cherubs swimming; CONTENTMENT - a cherub reclining on a couch with coffee pot and cup on an octagonal table; CAPABILITY - cherubs with walking stick on the floor, three dancing and two playing leapfrog.
Letter dated 18 November 1888 from Bartholomew to William Park appointing him to a position at Bristol. In the event, by mutual consent, he took up a post at Bath since Park, a devout Methodist, preferred to work at an establishment which was not open on Sundays. He was to be paid 25/- per week, plus perquisites (ie, tips). The letterhead has a central cut showing the exterior of the building, with the Bristol address, and five others, at the side; Bristol, Bath, and Worcester on the left, and London, Manchester, and Birmingham on the right.
#onthisday, 2 Feb 1861, Charles Bartholomew, farmhand's son & Sec of David Urquhart's #Bristol Foreign Affairs Committee, opened his College Green #TurkishBaths. At his death in 1889 he owned an 8 estab chain from Eastbourne to Manchester. Orig built as hotel for #Brunel, only façade is left. ALT 🗃️
Sepia photograph of the exterior of the baths in Lincoln Place taken soon after the baths opened. The main frontage of the building faced Lincoln Place. About 186 feet in length, it comprised three sections, that in the centre being slightly recessed and partly fronted with an entrance porch. Adjoining this, opening off the obtuse angled pavement leading to Leinster Street, was a refreshment room and the entrance to the Turkish bath for horses and other animals, which was at the rear of the main baths. On either side of central ticket office were separate bathing areas for men and women. A very prominent feature was the 50 foot high ogee-shaped dome which sat above the company board room. Also to be seen are six pseudo minarets between the different sections, and the top portion of the tall chimney stack. Two men stand in the road. While crediting Mr Barter with the design of the building, the Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720 - 1940 also credits Sir John Benson as architect. However, there is no evidence to support this suggestion which appears to be based on a misreading of an article in Dublin Builder (1 Jan 1859) which was corrected in the following issue.
Advertising the opening of the baths in The Irish Times (2 February 1860). The ad gives a variety of opening hours and charges, indicating that shampoos were not available on Sundays. Like other Turkish baths connected with Dr Barter, children under 10 years of age were charged half the adult fee, and those under 4 years were admitted free.
#onthisday, 2 February 1860, the #TurkishBaths Co of #Dublin Ltd opened baths in Lincoln Place. Developed by Dr Richard Barter & designed in so-called Saracenic style by his namesake architect Mr Richard Barter, the baths remained open till 1900. www.victorianturkishbath.org/_6DIRECTORY/... 🗃️ #C19th
A line drawing of the exterior of Birmingham's first Public Baths at Kent Street which opened 12 May 1851. Nearly 30 years later, in 1879, some underused clothes washhouses were converted into Turkish baths. The mainly two storey building with arches, some of which included windows or doors, had a Dutch gable on top of a two storey section on the left. The main entrance was in another two storey section in the centre. Between them was (probably) the boiler house chimney—dressed up as an Italiate campanile. There are wide high gates on the left for coal delivery vans. A man is walking on the pavement, two ladies (with a dog) are chatting in the middle of a road which, bar a single stationary horse-drawn carriage, is empty. In 1930 the baths were demolished & new ones on the same site, also including Turkish baths, opened 3 years later.
#OnThisDay, 27 Jan 1879, #TurkishBaths were added to the original Kent Street Baths in #Birmingham by converting underused washhouses at a cost of £1,255.10.0. Above the cooling-room & rest cubicles were 145° & 195° F hot rooms, shampooing room, plunge, & showers. They closed In 1930. ALT 🗃️ #C19th
The text of a display advertisement in the Exeter Flying Post (21 January 1863) announced the forthcoming opening of these 'Turkish baths on an improved plan'. Open for gentlemen on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays between 8.00 am and 4.00 pm at 2/6, and afterwards till 8.00 pm at 1/6. Open for Ladies on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Street map of part of Exeter showing relationship between the cathedral and St David's Hill.
Enlarged portion of street map showing the location of the baths opposite the 'Blind Asylum'.
#onthisday, 26 January 1863, John Treble opened Victorian #TurkishBaths at 4 Mansion Terrace, St David's Hill, #Exeter, opposite the 'Blind Asylum'. 'Though replete with every essential,' it was actually 6 months before showers were fitted. 🗃️ #C19th
Monochrome photo taken after 1899, when the Grand Theatre opened, shows two blocks of buildings on either side of a road branching off Station Road. With the exception of the now Grade II Listed but long closed theatre, none of these buildings or roads remains. The four storey Glyn Hotel, already renamed the Central, in in the centre of the photo. The three storey Oriental Buildings, with a clock tower surmounted by a pointed cupola on eight columns shows shops on the ground floor and offices above. A policeman stands with his back to us in the foreground. There are many pedestrians, but no vehicles on the roads.
Typographical advertisement for 'The New Turkish Baths' gives location, opening times (Sundays excepted), charges, managers, etc. The baths were open for 'Ladies only' on Wednesdays and two additional half-days. The main charge was 2/-, reduced to 1/- on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays after 4.00 pm. The manager, Mr H Richardson had previously been Head Shampooer at the Cookridge Street baths in Leeds, and his wife had been Ladies' Shampooer there, and also in Bradford.
#onthisday, 25 January 1897, #Doncaster Oriental & Turkish Baths Co Ltd opened Victorian #TurkishBaths, six shops, & seventeen offices at their new Oriental Buildings in what was once called Station Road. It's the building with the clock tower & column-supported cupola on the right. See ALT 🗃️ #C19th
Colour photo of part of the shampooing room. It has a beige non-slip tiled floor and a shoulder-high blue tiled wall with windows above. There are two marble shampooing slabs with a basin to the left of each. The near basin has lever taps with a mixer outlet, the basin behind has two separate taps. Between them is a flexible tube hand shower spray. There's a council marked towel draped over the rear slab. An opening at the back leads (probably) to the cooling-room, and several doors can be seen.
#onthisday, 20 January 1973, Stanley Council opened Burns Leisure Centre in High Street, #Stanley (Co Durham). It had one of the last Victorian-style #TurkishBaths to be built, but survived only 24 years, closing on 4 September 1997. Little is known about them. Anyone remember using them? 🗃️ #C19th
Eleanor Marx
Dollie Radford
The Turkish baths Eleanor used to visit, among others.
She could also sometimes enjoy life. She visited #TurkishBaths alone, and with friends. When author Dollie Radford and Tussy visited Nevill’s together, Dollie wrote, ‘They are regal! I enjoyed myself there ever so much, & longed to stay for ever.' Eleanor's dad used them too, but for health reasons.
Text advertisement from the Cheshire Observer (14 January 1911) announcing its opening for gentlemen on 17th January and that they would open for ladies early in March. The Directors of the company invited inspection of the baths on two days prior to the opening. In fact, when the baths did open for women, it was only on Thursdays. In her 1985 book, Shopping Arcades, Margaret MacKeith wrote that the 'Ground floor retains the earlier white faience and segmented arches together with the name of "Turkish Baths" ' Does anyone know if this is still the case, and does anyone have a photo of these historic remains?
#onthisday, 17 January 1911, the #Chester #TurkishBaths Co Ltd opened men's baths in Bridge Street. Designed by local architect Wm T Lockwood, they included a 10-cubicle cooling-room, 3 hot rooms, shampooing room, showers & a Russian vapour bath. They closed towards the end of 1913—See ALT 🗃️ #C19th
Coloured card postmarked 26 April 1910 showing the exterior façade of the Hammam Hotel and Turkish Baths at Upper Sackville Street (later re-named O’Connell Street). It’s a four storey high Georgian red brick building (originally known as Reynolds Hotel) nine windows in length on the upper floors, and six windows and a shopfront to the right on the ground floor. Three windows in from the left is a wide tall arched doorway. The arch has the words TURKISH BATHS added round the top, and above, the words HAMMAM HOTEL. These words are also inscribed on the white electrically lit globes on hand-held torch-like figures on either side of the door. The baths were built at the rear of the hotel. There are pedestrians in the street, and a red pillar box on the pavement. An illustrated article on these baths can be found at http://www.victorianturkishbath.org/_6DIRECTORY/AtoZEstab/Ireland/DubUppSack/UppSack1Eng.htm
A stereo card based on a photograph taken by the well-known photographer Alfred Seaman, probably on his visit to the 1905 annual Photographic Convention of the UK which was held that year in Dublin. (Thanks are due to John Bradley for this information.) Below the sepia photograph, Seaman has written the words “Turkish Bath Cooling Room”. Foreground left is a bather reclining on a couch. Behind him are tables, chairs, loungers, a table with a large mirror above, a wall clock, and a framed picture of several scenes in Ireland. Above, to the right, can be seen part of the gallery balustrade which runs round three sides of the room.
Part of a Goad fire map showing the ground floor of the baths after the new larger ones had opened. The lower part of the plan, marked Ladies’ Baths shows the original baths opened in 1869. The upper part shows the new men’s baths. Although marked as one of the hot rooms, that numbered 1 is actually the cooling-room, with its gallery shown above.
Photograph of part of Sackville Street, with armoured vehicles in front of the baths sending smoke bombs into the hotel. (Taken on 6 July 1922 during the Irish Civil War.) It was believed that Éamon de Valera was hiding in the hotel, but he had already escaped. A few hours after this photo was taken, the hotel and baths were completely destroyed by shells and fire. The hotel and baths were never rebuilt.
#onthisday, 16 January 1871, less than two years after Dr Richard Barter opened the Hammam Hotel & #TurkishBaths in Sackville (O'Connell) Street, #Dublin, his son Mr Richard Barter opens new baths next door, turning the original ones into women's baths. Destroyed in 1922 Civil War. See ALT 🗃️ #C19th
#onthisday, 16 January 1883, Mr G T Nixon opened a Victorian #TurkishBaths for women at his #Christchurch, #NewZealand home in Manchester Street. It was staffed by a female attendant. See: Wendy Riley: lostchristchurch.wordpress.com/2020/07/04/t... 🗃️ #C19th
Postcard with vertical text on short side and large image horizontally on the right. The text names the baths and gives opening hours. The coloured image is an artist's impression of the (labelled) cooling-room. Its floor is covered in brightly coloured carpets and in the centre is a small decorative pool and fountain. Arranged round the main part of the room are various easy chairs, settees, coffee tables, and potted plants. On either side is a curtained area with additional couches lining the walls. An opening to the rear shows a plunge pool and beyond that several archways leading to the (labelled, but not seen) hot rooms. A small circular inset, top right, is labelled Shampooing room with a number of not easily distinguishable shampooing slabs.
A scaled floor plan of the baths with labels indicating the various areas and rooms. These include (from the entrance) cubicles for removing shoes with a boot store. There's also a WC, a Committee Room for company directors' meetings, an Office with counter, coffee maker, and lockers. The Frigidarium has a Hair Cutting room leading off, with other areas (as described in the postcard text). Not seen on the postcard is an Attendants' room on the right, divans on either side of the Plunge Bath, and WCs, Douche, and Lavatorium (washroom). The plunge continues (through an opening in a plate glass wall) into the Tepidarium, beyond which is the Calidarium. There is also a Stokery and two boilers. The plan has been coloured to show how the wet, dry, and mixed areas are separated from each other.
The front and back pages of a brown-printed folded card advertising the baths. On the front is a central circular sketch of part of the cooling-room, and on the back is a calendar for 1885.
The inside of the folded card is treated as a single page when the fold is held horizontally. Centrally to the right is a panel indicating that there are areas with temperatures of 120, 135, 160, 210, and 250 degrees Fahrenheit, that the bath has been designed by C J Phipps and "is the most luxurious of its kind in London", that it is open daily from 8.00 am till 9.00 pm (but only until 1.00 pm on Sundays), and that the charge is 2/6 or One Guinea for ten tickets (a saving of 4/-). Surrounding the panel on the card are five rough sketches: an attendant placing shoes in the boot locker, with a second attendant behind the counter; general scene in the cooling-room; someone lying on a divan; two bathers being shampooed; three bathers, one of whom is entering the plunge.
#onthisday, 8 January 1885, the Savoy #TurkishBaths opened. Occupying a basement 150ft x 46ft in Lancaster House, it was the 1st in #London to be fully lit by electricity. Some of those associated with the Gilbert & Sullivan operas, eg, Grossmith & Cellier, were bathers & shareholders. +ALT 🗃️ #C19th
