Coconut Tam

Balmain, James C. H., 1870, Photograph

Coconut Tam

Category

Library Item

Item no

938

Title

Coconut Tam

Description

Photograph of Coconut Tam and two ladies on the High Street, Edinburgh. They are selling fruit from baskets at the side of the road. Both ladies are wearing shawls and aprons and Tam is wearing an oversized bowler hat. Buchanan's Temperance Hotel can be seen in the background.

Artist / maker

Balmain, James C. H.

Date

1870

Size

15.5 x 20.5 cm.

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Coconut Tam was one of the colourful characters of the Royal Mile in the 19th century. He was a street vendor (real name Thomas Simpson) who sold fruit including coconuts from his barrow near John Knox House.

See Edward Holt's caricature drawing of Coconut Tam here.

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Related subjects

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Hats

People > Adults > Men

People > Adults > Women

People > Commercial activities > Street traders

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh areas > Royal Mile

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Sport and leisure > Public accommodation facilities > Hotels

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(55°57′2″N, 3°11′4″W)

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