Victorian Ghosts

By Rebecca Drew

THROWBACK images merging the ghostly figures of Queen Victoria’s Liverpool with the modern day have been revealed in an eye-opening collection of images.

The series of images offer a nostalgic trip down memory lane and feature smiling workhouse boys on Steble Fountain juxtaposed with a modern day onlooker. Another picture shows an art seller on St John’s Lane with a group of three men admiring what is on sale.

Other snaps show a locomotive parked in an 1890s Lime Street station lined up against its modern predecessor and members of the upper class sitting outside the 16^th century Speke Hall.

The amazing pictures were reimagined by Port Captain, Keith Jones (45) from Liverpool. The pictures are created through merging old pictures and postcards with modern photographs Keith has taken himself.

“With these then and now photographs it’s like a spot the difference competition, a comparison between the eras in the same place,” said Keith.

“I try to create a juxtaposition in my photos, so if there’s a horse drawn tram passing by someone vaping or a shoeless urchin next to someone googling on their iPhone, that really appeals to me.

“Victorians hanging out and interacting with Millennials is the sort of thing I try to portray if possible.

“I find the Victorian era photographs of the city fascinating to look at.

“The medium of photography itself was effectively brought to the world in the very early years of Queen Victoria’s reign so the older shots are the furthest we can delve back into the city’s history via a camera lens.”

As with other places in England, the Victorian era was a time for great industrial growth and change for Liverpool and with an increasing population of 700,000 it was granted city status in 1880.

With its busy trade through the city’s port, it was very wealthy and grand buildings and monuments were built as a result. These include those pictured such as St George’s Hall, The Walker Art Gallery and The Steble Fountain.

“Through going back and studying thousands of old photos of the city’s past, I’ve found it incredibly interesting to see the mix of wealthy merchants with their homes and carriages, grand edifices and monuments that are still appreciated a hundred and fifty years after they were built,” Keith added.

“I’ve also found it very poignant to see the poor, penniless and barefoot children in the streets.

“Modern design is all about practicality and economy in comparison to grand Victorian buildings with their many design flourishes.

“I have my views but I generally present the photos without comment and leave the viewer to make their own mind up about which is ‘better’.”

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