[Leica] [IMG] PAW 48 - Pearly King and Queens A great London tradition

[pdzwig at summaventures.com (Peter Dzwig)]

This isn't a very good shot, snatched as it was on Waterloo station a few 
weeks 
back. It is more for interest.

When I was younger there were quite a few Pearlies around, but I haven't 
seen 
three in one place for a long time. He wears a "smother suit" and they wear 
coats decorated with traditional Pearly designs.

Pearlies were essentially community figures in London, one King and Queen 
for 
each borough, who worked for the community, originally maintaining the 
rights of 
the costermongers (street traders), later principally as fund-raisers for 
local 
charities, but they also had a certain standing and were held in high regard 
by 
the rest of the Community.

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/PeterDzwig/PAW+2007/32230032PearliesWaterloo.jpg.html
<http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/PeterDzwig/PAW+2007/32230032PearliesWaterloo.jpg.html>

I think that the Queen on the left saisd that they were from Upminster, but 
if 
anyone recognises them and can let me know for sure I'd be glad to hear.

For more details see

http://www.pearlysociety.co.uk/history.htm

http://www.pearlykingandqueenentertainers.co.uk/ - look undfer "Pearly 
Tradition"

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearly_Kings_and_Queens


Your comments and constructive criticisms are as always welcome,

Thanks for taking the time to look.

Peter Dzwig