What a builder found down the back of a fireplace at Christ’s College, Cambridge, during renovation work
The discovery behind a fireplace of postcards, an invitation and lists of chapel services have given a fascinating insight into life at a University of Cambridge college in the early 20th century.
They were found down the back of the mantelpiece during restoration work on First Court at Christ’s College.
Several of the items are linked to the last known student occupier of the room, Ian S Osborn, who came to Christ’s from Sheffield in 1919 to study engineering.
College records show Osborn occupied room K2 in 1921-22 and paid £6 10s rent plus £2 11s 6d for his furniture.
A keen sportsperson who played rugby, was a member of the shooting club and became a well-known mountaineer and member of the Alpine Club, Osborn began his climbing career at Cambridge University Mountaineering Club under the influence of Christ’s fellow, dean and mountaineer Rev A V Valentine-Richards, who occupied rooms close to Osborn’s.
One of the postcards found was sent to Osborn by his friend Eric, from Adelboden, Switzerland, in January 1922.
Eric wrote: “Having a very jolly time here. Plenty to do. Quite like skiing. Having nice weather but it is snowing to-day.”
Osborn was a former pupil of The Leys School in Cambridge and also received an invitation to a performance of The Headmaster there in February 1922.
In 1927, he became a director of Samuel Osborn and Co, Ltd, the Sheffield steelworks founded by his grandfather.
But he died after a short illness in 1936, having just climbed Dent Blanche, one of the highest peaks in the Swiss Alps.
Also found with the chapel cards behind the fireplace was a programme for a production of The Magic Flute at the New Theatre Cambridge in December 1911.
Christ’s archivist Dr Lucy Hughes said: “We might imagine that these items were displayed, propped up on the mantelpiece and then accidently fell down behind and remained lost for a century.
“These buildings have long histories, and their fabric can remain untouched for generations – so sometimes when things are lost, they can stay lost for a long time!”
Records manager Fiona Colbert, who carried out additional research, added: “It’s been fascinating to make these discoveries and piece together details about the people and the time they were here at Christ’s.”
Osborn’s room became a college office after he moved out. It was used by the bursar and more recently was known as the Old Law Library. Now it is the temporary home of the college porters while the next stage of the First Court renovation takes place.
Builder Luke Johnson, who works for F A Valiant, said: “I’m used to finding things like postage stamps and newspaper cuttings, but I still get a thrill from these little bits of history.”
