Bookshops: Chaucer's Head Bookshop (New Street, c. 1870s) *

Chaucer's Head bookshop at 74 New Street, c. 1870s.
Held at Birmingham Archive.

The Chaucer's Head bookshop was 74 New Street, right at the top near Victoria Square. It was one of eight shops set alongside the south wall of Christ Church, four being set into the wall of the church itself, and another four along its edge (see image below). Christ Church was where the "Floozie in the Jacuzzi" is now and it, and its quirky retail additions, were demolished in 1899.*0*

Christ Church with some of the shops set in its wall.
Circa 1830s. Held at Birmingham Archive.

Chaucer's Head was one of the four taller shops - you can see its next-door neighbour in the drawing above. This was drawn at about the time the bookshop was opened in 1830 by John Cadby. Cadby was succeeded by William Downing (whose name is seen in the photograph) in 1870, and he removed the shop to Temple Row in 1890.*1* Downing was a well known local bookseller specialising in antiquarian books, and his shops were sites for literary discussion. Customers included local politician Joseph Chamberlain and Arts and Crafts designer William Morris.*2*