HAND WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED - HISTORICAL BOOKLETS - PETER BROWN
 

 


PETER BROWN

 

If you have not seen them before can I introduce you to the works of local historian and artist Peter Brown. Peter produced many booklets and leaflets that were all beautifully handwritten and illustrated by hand. Sadly Peter passed away a short while ago and it's important that his splendid efforts are still enjoyed. Peter produced booklets on many local topics and all proceeds from his work were donated to the Broomfield Museum Trust in Palmers Green. Here are some extracts from his splendid book on the River Lea. At one time his booklets were available from Bruce Castle Museum but I now understand that they are no longer stocked in their shop.











 

 

Here is Peter's wonderful leaflet on the River Lea which is titled 'The Lea Valley and it's Park'.  His sketch showing the source of the River Lea and how he has mapped the flow of the river from it's source at Leagrave Park near Luton until it reaches the River Thames near Bow Creek, is truly amazing. How he has managed to fit in so much detail on just one sheet of A4 paper is wonderful.

Unfortunately space prevents us from reproducing all the pages from this booklet.
 

 






 

Just to get a flavour of the wide range of topics that Peter Brown researched and produced historical leaflest for, here are a small collection of the front covers for some of his works.




 
 

 

PETER BROWN - CATALOGUE OF OTHER WORKS
Peter produced historical booklets covering a wide area of North London including Winchmore Hill, Palmers Green, Southgate, Enfield, Epping and indeed central London. His booklets and leaflets extended far beyond the few that I have mentioned here.

Peter Brown must have devoted literally thousands of hours to create these splendid historical documents and works of art. All of this work was to create funds for the Broomfield Museum Trust, which I understand is no longer in existence.  It is important, therefore, that we acknowledge his remarkable efforts and ensure that they are not forgotten.

My late brother, Ray Swain, was a friend and acquaintance of Peter from their times meeting together at Bruce Castle Museum. Ray would frequently send me copies of Peter's booklets that have enabled me to share them now. I know that Ray would be pleased to know we have tried to preserve the memory of Peter Brown in the local history of Tottenham.  
THE BROOMFIELD LONG BED The background and wonderful illustrations of the flower gardens at Broomfield park
MISS HUMS SCHOOL Alice Hum opened her school at 446 Green Lanes, Palmers Green in 1905.
TRURO HOUSE - PALMERS GREEN A history of this historic house in Green Lanes.
THEOBALDS, CEDARS PARK & TEMPLE BAR Historical facts about the medieval manor and the estate.
CHITTS HILL HOUSE - WOOD GREEN The saga of Overand & Gurney  at this Regency building near Woodside Park, Green Lanes.
THE SUFFRAGETTES AND PALMERS GREEN Historical background  
EPPING FOREST  Contains a most wonderful map of the forest and notable locations. 
LONDON TIMES The background to historic clock towers and observatories in London
THE HEARTH TAX The  application of the hearth tax in the Edmonton Hundred's in the 17th Century.
   

Article prepared by Alan Swain - August 2021