In this episode, which is number 24 in Danny Hurst´s Monopoly history series it is the turn of the last green square – the extremely high rent, Bond Street. A street that is home to two of the oldest and most renowned auction houses, the oldest manmade sculpture in London and the Beadles. (Yes, that's with a "d", not a "t").

Find out why the street has been misnamed, and what its connection to James Bond, chocolate, diamonds, Guy Burgess, and the film Titanic is. Also, let Danny take you on a tour of the street´s many famous statues.

*Correction-in this podcast it claims the statue of Sekhmet is the oldest manmade object in London.  This is actually the oldest manmade sculpture rather than object.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The statue above the entrance of Sotheby´s is over 3,600 years old.
• It has been a luxury shopping destination since the 18th century.
• The Royal Arcade is a must-see.
• The street is home to the oldest uniform-wearing security firm in the world.
• Danny tells you where you can see the work of Henry Moore.

BEST MOMENTS

‘There isn´t a Bond Street in London. ´

‘The origin of this motto goes way back to Roman times.’

‘It is believed that only one resident lives on Bond Street.’

EPISODE RESOURCES

Shop for all official versions of Monopoly here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/page/785DC233-0A69-4DF8-98E9-4F50CC50A59E

HOST BIO

Historian, performer, and mentor Danny Hurst has been engaging audiences for many years, whether as a lecturer, stand-up comic or intervention teacher with young offenders and excluded secondary students. Having worked with some of the most difficult people in the UK, he is a natural storyteller and entertainer, whilst purveying the most fascinating information that you didn't know you didn't know. A writer and host of pub quizzes across London, he has travelled extensively and speaks several languages. He has been a consultant for exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum and Natural History Museum in London as well as presenting accelerated learning seminars across the UK. With a wide range of knowledge ranging from motor mechanics to opera to breeding carnivorous plants, he believes learning is the most effective when it's fun. Uniquely delivered, this is history without the boring bits, told the way only Danny Hurst can.

CONTACT AND SOCIALS

https://instagram.com/dannyjhurst
facebook.com/danny.hurst.9638

https://twitter.com/dannyhurst 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-hurst-19574720

Podcast Description

"History is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake." James Joyce.

That was me at school as well. Ironically, I ended up becoming a historian. The Unusual Histories podcast is all about the history you don't learn at school, nor indeed anywhere else. Discover things that you didn't know that you didn't know, fascinating historical luminaries and their vices and addictions, and the other numerous sides of every story.

We start with the Monopoly Series, in which we explore how the game came to be, the real-life connection between the cheapest and most expensive properties, the history of each location, how proportionate the values were then and are today, what the hell a "community chest" is and whether free parking really does exist anywhere in London. 

If you love history; or indeed if you hate history, this is the podcast for you…