'Coombe Croft Sept 1885'

Antique Cabinet Card photograph of Coombe Croft, now Rokeby School,  George Road, Kingston upon Thames. 

'Combe Croft Sept 1885' faintly inscribed to rear.

The author John Galsworthy is connected to Coombe through his father, also John Galsworthy, who built large houses on the estate formerly owned by the Duke of Cambridge, off Grange Road. He was a churchwarden at St John the Baptist, Kingston Vale and his wife was a Surbitonian. 

The houses he built were Coombe Warren (1868, later renamed Coombe Court, demolished 1931), Coombe Leigh (1873, later Coombe Ridge, now Holy Cross Preparatory School) and Coombe Croft (1878, now Rokeby Preparatory School) and the Galsworthy family lived in each of them for a time. 

The author was born on Kingston Hill in November 1867 and spent his childhood there until 1886. He was born in a large house called Parkfield, which is now a nursing home called Galsworthy House. 

Coombe Warren was the inspiration for ‘Robin Hood’ – the house built by Soames in the Forsythe Saga.

Size:

10.5 x 16.5

Condition:

Some age-related wear and discolouration to image and mount with small piece of image missing from top right corner.

As it is sometimes difficult to properly judge the look and condition of an item from the description and photos alone, please feel free to bid knowing that you can return the item post free if you are not entirely pleased with your purchase. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions.

Combined shipping available at cost. 

Welsh Bridge Books & Collectables is a bricks and mortar shop located alongside the River Severn at Shrewsbury, in a beautiful 16th Century building housing three floors of interesting and eclectic books and collectables for sale. If you're in Shropshire please pop by and say hello! Thank you.