Photographer PUBLISHER DWYER

Reid's Crystall Hall Collapses

Date1907

Dimensions9.5 x 13.9 cm

Credit LineCollection of Museum London, 1965

Object number1965.054.001

Label TextThis postcard features an image of the collapse of London china and crockery merchant W. J. Reid’s Crystal Hall on July 16, 1907. The collapse of the structure killed seven, not eight people. For decades, this glass and crockery retail and wholesale business had sold a wide range of goods. In 1907, Reid leased part of the building to Peter Smirlie, who planned to open a bowling alley and billiards hall. Against his builders’ advice, Smirlie added windows and replaced the main floor’s centre wall with iron pillars. London had no building inspectors to prevent the changes. Investigators did not blame anyone for the disaster. London hired its first building inspector not long after.

NamePostcard