London street life

Over time, I've made some "outdoor" miniatures that are more or less British, so it made sense to put them all on a separate page. Some are my own designs, based on historical information I've found online, while several are from how-to's in the The Dolls' House Magazine, a British publication that often has nice and somewhat unusual projects.

Late Georgian shop front (circa 1800, but with later text on the signs...). My how-to's for it were printed in LEN volume 6, issue 6. Since I made it, I've had second thoughts about the door. I suspect that a panelled door would've been a better choice.

Early Victorian shop front (mid-19th century, but let's say the sign has been repainted in the 20th century!). Here, it's photographed in front of my Bridal Shop. My how-to's for it were printed in LEN volume 7, issue 2.

Peddler or pedlar: She's selling ribbons, lace and fabrics. I scaled down her clothes from a 1:12 scale pedlar project in The Dolls' House Magazine #80.

I understand peddler dolls are popular, but still I've never seen a specific date for when their real-life models could be seen. Based on this one's dress, I imagine she's supposed to be a mid-19th century woman, i.e. early Victorian.

Pillar box in cylinder shape - these were introduced in 1879.

When I wanted to make a pillar box and started looking for facts about them, I found a terrific website that covers the history of British letter boxes. That site even specifies the height and diameter of various models of pillar boxes, so I knew I got the size perfectly right. Isn't it amazing how miniaturists can benefit from other people's (equally) unusual interests!

Hot potato cart: I scaled it down from 1:12 project in The Dolls' House Magazine #48. I filled it with accessories according to the project directions - potatoes, coal, salt, pepper, knife, butter pot, shovel, poker and ash rake.

The project creator, Doug Ware, says jacket potato carts were popular in the earlier part of the 20th century and disappeared at the beginning of World War Two.

Chimney sweep cart: Originally another 1:12 project by Doug Ware, in The Dolls' House Magazine #47.

The sweep needs a a cloth to cover the fireplace opening to protect the room from soot, a brush with several rods to reach all of the flue, a big bucket for the soot, a small brush and shovel, and some sacks for transporting all the soot.