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The city pawnshop

  • The building is a characteristic feature of Embankment Square.
  • It was constructed in 1867.
  • People could pawn their things to get a loan. Pledged things could be regained for the price of the pledge.
  • The money earned by the pawnshop was collected by the city treasury.
  • The conditions of granting loans were defined by the city authorities; therefore, it was possible to get a load based on fair conditions, avoiding usury.
  • In the 1990s the building was converted into a book depository, and a printing house, where bottle labels used to be printed.
  • At present, the building has been neglected and it requires renovation.

Memories and stories told by the inhabitants

Employees of the printing house used to work in two or three shifts. The ground floor of the building accommodated printing machines, the first floor was used to house bookbindery and typesetting facilities. At the back of the building some storage facilities were located.

Contemporary photographs

⯆ The building of the former city pawnshop – the front façade.

⯆ Gdańsk coat of arms.

⯆ At present, the building has been deteriorating.

⯆ At the back of the pawnshop. When the building was used as a printing house, some storage facilities were located there.



Archive photographs

⯆ A photograph of the women working at the printing house which was once located in the pawnshop building.



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