Umbrellas at Smiths
James Smith & Sons
April showers are about to start and I need a brolly. Not just any umbrella but one that I can rely on – that won’t get blown inside out at the first sign of wind. I in turn will do my best not to lose it – easier said than done. I get caught in my first shower close by St.Pauls and cursing my luck at having ventured out without the right equipment I decide to go up market and procure a top quality implement. There really is no competition for choice and I make all haste to New Oxford St. (the Tottenham Court Rd. end) where destiny awaits at James Smiths & Sons Umbrellas. You simply cannot miss the building which lies about 250 yards down the road from the crossroads and resembles something you might expect from one of those (recent) Sherlock Holmes films. All that is missing is a passing Hansom Cab and some good old London Smog. The building is several stories high although the actual shop is on the ground floor. It is simply festooned with not only umbrellas, but also shooting sticks, walking canes and sticks and all sorts of perambulating paraphernalia. There are handles of all sorts of shapes and sizes – carved parrots heads, silver handles and exotic designs abound.
To the uninitiated the windows of this handsome shop make an immediate impact on anyone walking past filled as they are with rows and rows of elegantly shaped umbrellas and walking sticks. It is a positive cornucopia of Victorian wonderfulness compelling those who cross the threshold to make an immediate and substantial purchase.
I found myself getting quite carried away with the selection on offer and without checking the prices which can get to eye watering levels quite quickly. It is worth paying close attention to the prices which can literally get into the thousands so it is advisable to have a budget in mind before entered this particular Aladdin’s cave. Prices for umbrellas start at around 25 and 30 for custom cut canes so it is more than reasonable if you know what you are looking for.
Now you never know who you might bump into in these high quality establishments and apparently the rich and famous can often be found mulling over their particular choice of stick wear. I recognised a couple of well known faces browsing within including the head of one well known British acting dynasties. Just ahead of me at the counter he was testing out his new silver handled custom made walking cane. Oh, the luxury!
Load more triptoids