Frognerseteren Hovedrestaurant in Oslo
This postcard was posted from Oslo on 7 August 1952 to Mr & Mrs Littles in Cheshire, England. It has a nice message:
“Just a little reminder of the holiday we spent some years ago. We arrived here this morning from Stockholm and leave for ??? tomorrow. After an enjoyable morning motoring through the city, we went tot he Frognerseteren Restaurant, where we had a very good lunch, then saw that South Pole Ship, the Fram and the Queen’s Ship at Jenkist museum. Love to all, Jim.”
I think the car nearest us is a Dodge 6 from the thirties (but I could be wrong) and I’m not sure about the other one.
There are lots of interesting things to see in this postcard. People from the past caught unawares to live on a little longer through the photograph.
These two young men seem to have all the time in world for a chat in the sunshine. I like his plus fours and the way he’s rolled his shirt sleeves up. And the other chap? Is he in the army?
Is this ghostly figure at the window an admiral or the maitre d’ ? What were his thoughts as he watched the photographer?
Someone else looking out. I get the impression it’s not very busy inside.
More uniforms and a couple enjoying lunch and the view of the photographer rather than each other.
A conversation between a waitress and two well dressed guests.
Högertrafikomläggningen was the name given to the day – 3 September 1967 – when the Norwegians changed from driving on the left hand side of the road to the right. So, this lady is getting into the driver’s seat if this is a Norwegian car.
I don’t know what this is. It looks like handle with a lever of some sort, on long rod, as though you used it when standing on the luggage rack. Intriguing.
You can’t really understand where the restaurant is from the photograph. Here’s another postcard that does show what a vantage point the restaurant has. I prefer the Citroen to the Dodge but do miss those two guys by the steps.
The restaurant, which was built in 1867, is still there and has a website – Frognerseteren .
The car nearest to us could be a Dodge, but I can’t confirm it.
Radiators often give the clue, but in this case the distinctive pattern of the louvres in the vertical bonnet panels are the ones to decide upon. There are five groups of four louvres each to be seen, and during my (first) search through many American makes and types I haven’t come across a similar bonnet!
No doubts about the other car. It’s a 1936 Chevrolet Standard Sedan.