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Inside Medland Hall homeless shelter, Ratcliff, London, c1900 (1901)
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Inside Medland Hall homeless shelter, Ratcliff, London, c1900 (1901)
Inside Medland Hall homeless shelter, Ratcliff, London, c1900 (1901). The four penny coffin, a homeless shelter which charged its clients different amounts depending on the amenities offered. The client of four pennies received food, shelter and could sleep in a coffin-shaped wooden box. From Living London, Vol. 1, edited by George R. Sims. [Cassell and Company, Limited, London, Paris, New York & Melbourne, 1901]
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Media ID 14972048
© The Print Collector
Asleep Bed Chamber Bedchamber Bedroom Bench East End Evicted Eviction Hardship Homeless Homelessness Lying Down Shelter Sheltering Sleep Sleeping Social Class Stepney Tower Hamlets Working Class Ratcliff
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print takes us back to the early 20th century, offering a glimpse into the harsh reality of homelessness in Ratcliff, London. Inside Medland Hall homeless shelter, men find solace from the unforgiving streets as they seek refuge for the night. The four penny coffin, an innovative concept for its time, provided different amenities based on what clients could afford. In this poignant image, we see a group of weary individuals sitting on benches within their makeshift bedroom. Each man has chosen his own wooden box resembling a coffin to sleep in – a haunting reminder of their destitution. Despite their circumstances, these resilient souls are grateful for the meager offerings that come with their four pennies: food and shelter from the cold night. The photograph captures not only physical hardship but also reveals layers of social class and inequality prevalent during Victorian Britain. Tower Hamlets' East End was notorious for its poverty-stricken neighborhoods like Ratcliff and Stepney where evictions were common occurrences. As we reflect upon this snapshot frozen in time, it serves as a powerful reminder of how far society has come in addressing homelessness while acknowledging that there is still work to be done. This image stands as a testament to both human resilience and our collective responsibility to ensure that everyone has access to basic necessities such as shelter and dignity.
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