PRESTON IN FOCUS

By Stephen Sartin

ISBN 187289559-X

The discovery of several hundred plate glass photographic slides in Blackburn Library two years ago - they had been there for almost 50 years - has resulted in 50 of them, all taken in Preston in 1911, being published in a new book -.PRESTON IN FOCUS.

They were originally put into focus by father-and-son team John William and Alfred Shaw, who produced picture postcards using a tripod-mounted wood and brass camera. Brought to the notice of prominent Preston historian Stephen Sartin, they excited him. He thinks them perhaps the best set of photographs of Preston taken by one photographer. It is likely that young Alfred took them. Stephen is curator of art for the Lancashire County Museum Service and worked for many years at the Harris Art Gallery. He has written several books on the town. In superb, lengthy captions to the photos, Stephen takes the reader on a tour of the ancient borough's streets and main roads, through the parks and the cemetery looking at buildings, shops and people going about their daily lives. This is a Preston where horses, carts and trains vied with pedestrians and bicyclists for the use of the setts. There are no more than half a dozen motor cars on the streets. It is a toss-up as to whether this is a picture book with captions or a history book with illustrations.

Across a sea of cobbles, a distant policeman stands immobile at the junction of Church Street, Park road,Stanley Street and Ribbleton Lane, on the right a man slowly pushes a cart with two huge wheels on it; nearby a man slowly steps off the pavement, oblivious that he is there.

Proud Prestonians will enjoy this book - that is a Sartinty! Preston in Focus is a high quality 48pp paperback selling at Ł6 in local shops. Copies may be obtained from Landy Publishing (address below) without postage charges if payment accompanies the order (UK only - cheques/P0s to Landy Publishing). Stephen Sartin can be contacted at the Judge's Lodgings Museum, Lancaster. Tel 01524 32808.

Contract: LANDY PUBLISHING

Bob Dobson, "Acorns", 3 Staining Rise, Staining, Blackpool FY3 0BU Tel. & Fax.01253 895678 Publisher and Book Dealer

I'm sure he can help with any enquires about book and others for both local and overseas customers.

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