Raphael Mendola
- private photograph collection

1890s

What an amazing find, and huge thank you to Matthew Bestwick for contacting me. Matthew and his brother purchased an old photo album containing private photographs by Raphael Mendola for Mr and Mrs Evershed (both were famous scientists of their time). There are also some photographs of Lord and Lady Arthur Russell (In 1875 Lady Arthur Russell had the swimming pool built in the middle of Shere so that her six sons could learn to swim - in 1899, the pool was handed over to the Parish Council which continues to be responsible for it to the present day. It was then used as a public pool, said to be the first public open air pool in Britain - Read More). I have dated the photo book to be pre-1892 as Lord Arthur Russell died in 1892, although some photos are dated 1899. So probably built up over time). There is also a photo of Dr Edward Capron nd a photo of Charles Darwin but this has yet to be confirmed. Interesting for us are the photos of 'Shere village' as well as the following local locations, containing over 60 photos:
Abinger, Abinger Hammer, Albury, Chilworth, Felday, Friday Street, Gomshall,Gomshall Lodge, Little London, Netley Park, Peaslake, Shere, Sutton & Wotton.

Huge thank you to Matthew, all photos are ©2021 owned
(©2021 Matthew Bestwick, all rights reserved).

 

Photos

Approaching Shere centre with Vine Cottage on the left

photo ©2021 Matthew Bestwick, all rights reserved.

 

Front of Vine Cottage, looking from Middle Street

photo ©2021 Matthew Bestwick, all rights reserved.

 

The Square, looking towards the Elm Trees and The White Horse

photo ©2021 Matthew Bestwick, all rights reserved.

 

The White Horse Inn - Note the Pub sign in its original position - 1890s

photo ©2021 Matthew Bestwick, all rights reserved.

 

Lowwr Street, looking towards St. James'

photo ©2021 Matthew Bestwick, all rights reserved.

 

 

The Square with Grovers and Pantry's on the far right

photo ©2021 Matthew Bestwick, all rights reserved.

 

 

St James' looking towards the Square

photo ©2021 Matthew Bestwick, all rights reserved.

 

 

Recognise the 'Old Cottage'? The Prison.

photo ©2021 Matthew Bestwick, all rights reserved.

 

 

The Bridge in Lime Walk

photo ©2021 Matthew Bestwick, all rights reserved.

 

 

Views from the allotments

photo ©2021 Matthew Bestwick, all rights reserved.

 

Research

I'll be conducting more research on this but an interesting link witrh Charles Darwin and Shere was posted on the following Surrey Heritage facebook page:

SURREY HERITAGE PAGE - A VISIT TO MR DARWIN

 

Darwin Correspondance Project

From Raphael Meldola 11 August 1873