This is a very old G&J Lines No 37. It has the no 37stamped underneath in ink, and this particular variation of this model is believed to have been from approx. circa 1920. The frontage opens in one piece to expose four rooms inside. The chimneys are missing sadly.
 
The house has certainly some character to it, with the original window frames, old lace and maybe even the card blinds my be original, but that I cannot be sure. Certainly several of the windows have acetate put in place instead of glass but the large window appears to be glass? Sadly the front door has long gone but the previous owner has placed a simple piece of wood propped inside the front doorway for now.
 
Although the interior has been repapered, it was obviously a long time ago and the deco paper is attractive in it's own right! However saying that, it is quite apparent in several places that original papers still lay underneath this wallpaper and would be an exciting project for someone to uncover all these. Here and there you can see some tantalising hints of the original paper where there are torn patches. Three original old fashioned wooden fireplaces remain.
|
The outside part of the main carcass appears to have old brick paper that had been over painted at some point in it's life and the previous owner has tried to expose as much of the brickwork as possible, resulting in a glorious shabby aged look. However she did inform me that the roofing paper is a copy of original and has been given a heavily aged look, I guess to complement the outside walls. All the outside paintwork gives the appearance that several layers have been taken off and the previous owner has tried to get down to the original, leaving it in the gloriously aged condition as seen...just as I like it!
 
Downstairs
 
Upstairs
Inside you can see the remains of some very old pictures from 1930s/40s era that one of the young previous owners has created herself plus a mirror in one of the upstairs rooms, all fixed to the wall. Check out that "horse" picture in the upstairs right room!
There is a doorway cut out in between each of the upstairs and downstairs rooms, with an old red curtain fixed in the downstairs doorway. In two of the rooms some old material has been glued to the floor for carpet, plus the other two rooms the floor has been painted however you can see the original flooring underneath and may be possible to restore to its former glory.
|
(Just as an experiment I have scratched a little of this floor paint away with finger nail and it appears to be coming off to expose the flooring paper underneath). I detected one single worm hole that was obviously old and the previous owner said had been treated a long while ago and never shown any sign of being live. I also treated the hole myself, to be on the safe side but I honestly think that it is most definitely not live or a problem.
Approx measurements: 23" high x 22" wide x 13" deep
The ceilings are 7 1/2" in height and in my opinion this house would suit either 1/12th or 1/16th furniture.
|
|
A lovely old house which could be left in this condition or a wonderful project for someone to embark on to restore the original papers.
|
|
)
Click image for close-up)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)