Builder finds students’ lost items from 1920s behind Cambridge college fireplace

A builder has discovered a number of items which belonged to a student in the 1920s.

The items, including that of postcards, an invitation, and chapel service listings, were found by builder Luke Johnson.

Found behind a fireplace in Christ’s College, the historical items were only discovered after renovations were made in a First Court room.

The mementos belonged to Christ’s student Ian S. Osborn who stayed in room K2 from 1921-22. One notable discovery was a postcard sent from Adelboden, Switzerland in January 1922.

The sender, Eric, wrote: “Having a very jolly time here. Plenty to do. Quite like skiing. Having nice weather but it is snowing to-day.”

The postcard from Adelboden was found behind the fireplace (Image Credits: Christ’s College / SWNS)

Other items included a New Theatre Cambridge programme for The Magic Flute from December 1911 alongside cards listing chapel services.

Luke Johnson, whilst not unfamiliar with finding historical objects during his work, told SWNS: “I still get a thrill from these little bits of history.”

Originally from Sheffield, Osborn studied Engineering at Christ’s and was a keen rugby player and prominent mountaineer outside of academics. After graduating, he returned to Sheffield to take up directorship of his grandfather’s steelworks company, Samuel Osborn and Co, Ltd, in 1927. He died following a brief illness in 1936, shortly after climbing Dent Blanche, one of the highest peaks in the Swiss Alps.

Ian S. Osborn, 3rd from left, middle row, pictured at the OFC Officers Leys School in 1918 (Image Credits: Christ’s College / SWNS)

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The college archivist, Dr Lucy Hughes, commented on the discovery: “We might imagine that these items were displayed, propped up on the mantelpiece and then accidentally 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 stay lost for a long time.”

Chapel cards were also found amongst Osborn’s lost possessions (Image Credits: Christ’s College / SWNS)

Following his departure, Osborn’s room became a College Office used by the Bursar and later the Old Law Library. Presently, it is the temporary home of Porters’ Lodge as renovations of First Court continue.

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Feature Image Credits: Christ’s College / SWNS