24 Hour Museum reader Steve Knight has sent us these photographs taken by his father in around 1938.

He thinks they were taken in London and amongst them are some very unusual railings that Steve is very keen to find out more about.

Where were they? Are they still there? And why are they as ornate as they are?

Can anyone help?

Here are some photos of the railings and a few other scenes around (I assume) London.

The scans don’t cover the whole of the negatives, unfortunately. The picture at the top shows that there is a hand water pump just by the camera - there is a spout overhanging the trough.

Also, there is a panel in the railings with some letters which are ICRV as far as I can make out.

I can’t make out the letters in the matching panel on the other side of the gates, nor can I make out much of what looks like a coat of arms in the centre.

I am assuming (with no particularly good reason, I suppose) that the other pictures were taken at a similar time.

The picture showing some steps with more railings at the top can be seen to be relatively unusual - the panels there have spirals, but these are more open spirals with nothing else particularly embellishing them.

I think the photos were taken some time during or after August 1938 - some other pictures in this particular collection were dated then, and these pictures in the same folder are unlabelled and further on.

Many thanks

Steve Knight

If anyone can help Steve, please email the editor: editor@24hourmuseum.org.uk.

We want to hear from you! If you've seen an exhibition or museum that inspired or annoyed you, let us know. Write with news, views, complaints or congratulations to: editor@24hourmuseum.org.uk.