Street Views - Munich, Germany 1910

This glass plate negative from Munich, Germany (circa 1910) captures a bustling cobblestone street lined with shops and pedestrians. The narrow street is animated with men, women, and children, many carrying large wicker baskets, suggesting a market day or domestic shopping. Women wear long skirts, shawls, and bonnets, while men appear in hats and heavy coats typical of the period.

On the left, mannequins draped in dresses and textiles are displayed in a shop window, giving a glimpse into early 20th century German fashion retail. The signage along the buildings offers further context:

• “M. Rock” – A shop sign visible in the centre, likely the name of the proprietor or store.

• “Häcker & …” (partially obscured) – Could indicate a family-owned business. “Häcker” means joiner or cabinetmaker in German, but could also be a surname.

• “L. Schäffer” – Another shop sign, probably the owner’s name.

• On the right-hand hanging sign: “Färberei und chemische Reinigung” translates to “Dyeing and Chemical Cleaning”, essentially an early dry-cleaning service.

• Further down the street, smaller signs for trades and local shops can be seen, though they are faint and partly obscured in the negative.

The architecture reflects Munich’s medieval roots with its timber-framed façades and clustered windows, leaning slightly inward over the street. The image preserves a slice of everyday life ordinary people in motion against a backdrop of commerce, craftsmanship, and the rhythms of a pre war Bavarian city.