"Little Italy" Exhib - Holborn Library, London
Anyone curious to learn more about the Italian origins of the mechanical music industry in Britain would be interested in the above exhibition which is on display at the Holborn Library from 2 Jun to 27 Sep 08. Using photographs, text and various artefacts, this historical exhibition tells the story of London's "Little Italy", the Italian quarter based around Clerkenwell/Holborn. It tells the story of the community from its origins in the early 19th century to the present day and includes a look at all the different occupations and trades that Italian families were associated with years ago. There is some excellent covereage of Chiappa Ltd who are the oldest surviving firm in that area. The present directors have lent several pictures and you can even put on headphones and hear a 10-minute talk by Albert Chiappa. In the bit I listened to he spoke about his family's involvement in the barrel piano trade. Worth seeing rather than going to see, the exhibition is your typical "local exhibition for local people", but well worth a visit if you have an hour to spare in London between now and September. There is also a book by the exhibition organiser, Tudor Allen, due out in July. Titled "Little Italy: the story of London's Italian quarter", it will cost £5.99 and postage and packing is £1.50 per book but FREE for orders placed before 31st July (cheques payable to "London Borough of Camden"). Send your name and address with your order to: Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre Holborn Library 32-38 Theobalds Road London WC1X 8PA www.camden.gov.uk/localstudies The Amersham Fair Organ Museum was pleased to respond to the request for a barrel piano to accompany the reception at the launch of the exhibition last Tuesday. A lot of interest was shown in the instrument which the museum has inherited form the late Jack Hutchinson. It was originally a Chiappa penny in the slot piano later converted for use on the street. Despite heavy rain, after the library event, a barrel piano was seen heading off down Eyre Street Hill in the direction of Exmouth Market to do a pub tour. The like cannot have been seen in that area for a very long time.
Anyone curious to learn more about the Italian origins of the mechanical music industry in Britain would be interested in the above exhibition which is on display at the Holborn Library from 2 Jun to 27 Sep 08. Using photographs, text and various artefacts, this historical exhibition tells the story of London's "Little Italy", the Italian quarter based around Clerkenwell/Holborn. It tells the story of the community from its origins in the early 19th century to the present day and includes a look at all the different occupations and trades that Italian families were associated with years ago. There is some excellent covereage of Chiappa Ltd who are the oldest surviving firm in that area. The present directors have lent several pictures and you can even put on headphones and hear a 10-minute talk by Albert Chiappa. In the bit I listened to he spoke about his family's involvement in the barrel piano trade. Worth seeing rather than going to see, the exhibition is your typical "local exhibition for local people", but well worth a visit if you have an hour to spare in London between now and September. There is also a book by the exhibition organiser, Tudor Allen, due out in July. Titled "Little Italy: the story of London's Italian quarter", it will cost £5.99 and postage and packing is £1.50 per book but FREE for orders placed before 31st July (cheques payable to "London Borough of Camden"). Send your name and address with your order to: Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre Holborn Library 32-38 Theobalds Road London WC1X 8PA www.camden.gov.uk/localstudies The Amersham Fair Organ Museum was pleased to respond to the request for a barrel piano to accompany the reception at the launch of the exhibition last Tuesday. A lot of interest was shown in the instrument which the museum has inherited form the late Jack Hutchinson. It was originally a Chiappa penny in the slot piano later converted for use on the street. Despite heavy rain, after the library event, a barrel piano was seen heading off down Eyre Street Hill in the direction of Exmouth Market to do a pub tour. The like cannot have been seen in that area for a very long time.