of Spivs, Cosh boys & Creepers

January 30, 2012 4:32 PM

Flick Knives, Dance Music and Edwardian Suits: Teddy Boys, Christmas Humphreys and the murder of John Beckley on Clapham Common in 1953.
posted by madamjujujive (15 comments total)

And villainous cigarettes!

This is great, madamjujujive. It didn't end up where I expected it would at all, and the pictures are wonderful.
posted by EvaDestruction at 5:07 PM on January 30 [1 favorite]

Been struggling through England's Dreaming, a rather too exhaustive history of the Sex Pistols that's way too detailed for long stretches but an overall fascinating read. When the author discusses punk fashion, he goes back to the Teddy Boys, not just in terms of the roots of the look, but also the attitude, the worldview, and the neighborhoods. Pretty neat to have a closer look at these young kids with their skinny ties and trousers up to their nipples.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 5:07 PM on January 30 [1 favorite]

Very nice, thanks.... Interesting to see the differences in how young people "rebel", how trends ebb and flow between ages and countries, and cultures....
posted by HuronBob at 5:49 PM on January 30

Fantastic link; thanks, madam.
posted by Rangeboy at 6:01 PM on January 30

Picture of Michael John Davies from the Daily Mail August 1953. The cigarette must have been added by the paper for villainous effect. MJD was a non-smoker.

It's good to see some things never change.
posted by dng at 6:26 PM on January 30

Fantastic site, hours of reading. Thanks, madamjujujive.
posted by unliteral at 6:40 PM on January 30

dng, now the trend is tobacco bowlderization: some iconic disappearing acts.
posted by madamjujujive at 6:56 PM on January 30 [1 favorite]

When I look at pictures like this, I can't help but imagine those faces in hoodies.
posted by Jimbob at 6:59 PM on January 30

Grew up in Clapham but never knew about this. Fascinating stuff.
posted by fallingbadgers at 10:27 PM on January 30

That entire blog (http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/) looks great.
posted by pracowity at 2:56 AM on January 31

I live near Clapham and some things never change - there are various pictures on walls about the place of teens knifed or shot.

Like this one, on the 137 bus route mentioned in the article.

Testosterone and knives: a poor combination.
posted by MuffinMan at 3:50 AM on January 31 [1 favorite]

@Marisa Stole the Precious Thing

England's Dreaming is one of my favourite books - there's a few pictures of Malcolm McLaren in full Ted regalia in there.
posted by GallonOfAlan at 4:13 AM on January 31

Neato - I live like 5 minutes away from the common. I'll never look at it the same again.
posted by like_neon at 5:20 AM on January 31

SO much better than track suits.
posted by Scoo at 9:07 AM on January 31 [1 favorite]

John Lennon was a Teddy Boy in his youth, there's even a picture out there of him in an Edwardian get up. Later Paul, poking fun/smary nostalgia (whatelse with Paul) captured the moment in time with the song "Teddy Boy" originally meant to be released on the White Album, only to be released later as a solo project.
posted by ExitPursuedByBear at 11:51 AM on January 31 [1 favorite]