Recollections

1.

Bryan Gourlay

Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Thank you to Bryan Gourlay who wrote:

Three Bears

"A very exciting moment for small kids going along Princes Street by bus or tram, on the top deck, was catching sight of the three stuffed bears on top of a fur shop.

They looked like a daddy bear, mummy bear and a small bear on the roof of the shop - I think it was near the east corner of Frederick Street and Princes Street.

They were there for many, many years, in all weathers, and began to look more and more dilapidated as the years went by, and finally disappeared.

It would be good to see a photo of the bears, as they were once one of Edinburgh's best-known 'landmarks'.  I'm sure someone must have one?

Bryan Gourlay, Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland:  August 14, 2006.

Question

Were the bears on Darlings fur shop at 124 Princes Street?

Peter Stubbs:  August 22, 2006

Answer

No, not Darlings!

Thank you to Karen Stewart, Livingston, West Lothian (formerly of Edinburgh) who wrote:

Marcus Furrier

"Bryan Gould`s article on 'Princes Street' mentions some fur bears he used to see on top of a shop when he was a child.  

 I am too young to remember but my mother told me that the bears belonged to Marcus Furrier.   I think they were based on the corner of Frederick Street.   Salisbury`s bag shop later took over the spot.

On the "scran.ac.uk" web site, there's a photo of the 3 bears from Marcus Furrier being thrown away.   It's reproduced c/o Scotsman Publications."

Karen Stewart, Livingston, West Lothian:  September 17, 2006

Recollections

2.

Rob Fender

England

There are now coffee shops throughout the centre of Edinburgh - Starbucks, Costa Coffee and many others.

However I must thank Rob Fender for his memories of an Edinburgh earlier coffee shop, situated in Princes Street, close to the old Monsignor (Jacey) cinema, not far from South Charlotte Street.

Robert wrote:

Manhattan Coffee Bar

"I was just scrolling through some of the memories of Princes Street, when I remembered the Manhattan coffee bar on Princes Street.  On a Sunday in the late 1940's and early 50's it was about the only place open.

It was owned by a relation of mine, Don Valente, and my Auntie Nell used to serve in.   It was particularly popular on a Sunday.

Like many, it has long gone.   I wonder if anyone remembers it."

Rob Fender, England:  September 26, 2007

Yes, Robert:

Frank Ferri (below) and Bob Henderson both remember the Manhattan.

-  Peter Stubbs:   August 1, 2008.

Recollections

3.

Frank Ferri

Newhaven, Edinburgh

Thank you to Frank Ferri who also wrote about the Manhattan Cafe in Princes Street.

Frank wrote:

Question

Manhattan Cafe

"Does anyone remember the Manhattan Cafe in the 1950s? It was situated in Princes Street, approximately next door to the old Jacey (Monsignor) cinema, long gone.

Decoration

It was a long narrow cafe with booth seating and stools at the counter and uniformed girl staff.  It was decorated with etched mirrors illustrating the New York sky line scenes, Empire State building etc, really done up like an American Diner.

American

In the grey days of post-war Britain, we all thought everything American was cool and wanted to emulate things in the movies or the Yanks from Kirknewton Air Base.

Me and my mate used to go posing there in our early teens.   A coffee or a coke cost a small fortune to us kids"

Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh:  July 30, 2008

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