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You can plunge into the atmosphere of Russian cities of the 19th century by watching a historical film or reading Russian classics, for example, Dostoevsky. But still the best illustrations by that time are old photographs. In our review, one of the oldest collections of photographs of Russian townspeople. These photographs are of particular interest also because they depict not aristocratic ladies or high officials, but ordinary people.
Street cleaner
In 1879, a decree was issued, according to which "in every house in Moscow there must be a janitor for the next day and night duty on the street." The janitors could not be under the age of 21, they had to know everything about the tenants and cooperate with the police.
Two boys who have come, probably for firewood for the master's house, are greeting the photographer.
The house janitor was a highly respected figure. The gate on the fence, which was at every house, was locked at about 11 pm, and those of their tenants who returned home later, would tip the janitor. The janitors lived most often in small rooms in the courtyard of the house in which they served.
The photo captures the moment when two workers bring water to a wealthy home. The camera lens captured them in motion. The photo clearly shows that the paving of the streets is far from perfect, and the porch should be repaired, which, by the way, was also the task of the janitor.
Cab
The cabbies were divided into several categories. The cheapest carriages, the owners who drove into the city from nearby villages only for a day, were called "vans". Not everyone got into their rattlers.
At the top of the cabling hierarchy are "reckless drivers". Their services were used by gentlemen with ladies, wealthy merchants, officers. They worked for themselves and waited for rich clients. And there were also professional cabbies - "darlings", who could be recognized by their uniforms. There were such cabbies at the cabs' exchange.
This cabman went into the room to drink hot tea. The sheepskin coat allowed him to spend whole days on the street. Tea is drunk without undressing, only taking off, following the rules of etiquette, the headdress.
Merchants
Street trading flourished in Russian cities and towns in the 19th century. Almost everything could be bought on the street - from food to handicraft items. Sometimes on the streets unclean personalities traded in stolen goods. Big cities at that time were a separate world. You can get to know this world better by reading 20 interesting facts about Moscow and Muscovites, which were noticed by Gilyarovsky.
Street thrush. In winter, she took out her products to the city on special sleds.
Another street vendor. True, today it is not entirely clear what she is selling.
This merchant sells sbiten, a drink infused with honey, spices and jam. Only at the end of the 19th century was sbiten pushed out of the tea and coffee market.
Artisans
This merchant offers birch bark wicker baskets. Perhaps he made them himself. At that time, there were no plastic dishes, and birch bark was just an ideal material. The dishes made from it were durable and perfectly suited for storing any kind of food.
Another master - he makes and sells horse collars. Pay attention to his striped pants. A real dandy.
The profession of a knife grinder has always been in demand.
This trader has such huge trunks that she could have put in them, perhaps, the goods from a modern trade kiosk.
And there were also …
Fireman
The stokers served the stoves of the townspeople. Mandatory accessories are comfortable clothes, high leather boots and an ax.
Mason
A bricklayer, unlike a stoker, laid out the same stoves. The man in the photo is holding bricks with the company logo in his hands.
Butcher
The photo is definitely staged. But its huge plus is that you can see in detail all the details of the uniform of that time.
Continuing the journey into the past, it will be interesting to see 30 photographs of Russian peasant craftsmen at work.
