Forside 1940 Holland House, Lord Ilchester's historic 17th. Century house, has been damaged during the recent air raids on London. An oil bomb started a fire on one of the towers and a 'Molotoff breadbasket' and a shower of incendiaries fell on the building. Firemen saved the east wing from complete destruction, but the rest of the house is a shell. Holland House, just off Kensington High-street, was London's great Whig salon in the 18th century and the home of Charles James Fox, and also earlier, of Joseph Addison, founder of the Spectator. Photo shows - The famous library containing a number of valuable and historical books was completely wrecked. The spectacle of the three men shown inspecting books in the library was likely staged for propaganda purposes. 23 October 1940. Photo: Harrison for Fox Photos Limited. Public Domain.

Holland House, Lord Ilchester’s historic 17th. Century house, has been damaged during the recent air raids on London. An oil bomb started a fire on one of the towers and a ‘Molotoff breadbasket’ and a shower of incendiaries fell on the building. Firemen saved the east wing from complete destruction, but the rest of the house is a shell. Holland House, just off Kensington High-street, was London’s great Whig salon in the 18th century and the home of Charles James Fox, and also earlier, of Joseph Addison, founder of the Spectator. Photo shows – The famous library containing a number of valuable and historical books was completely wrecked. The spectacle of the three men shown inspecting books in the library was likely staged for propaganda purposes. 23 October 1940. Photo: Harrison for Fox Photos Limited. Public Domain.

Holland House, Lord Ilchester’s historic 17th. Century house, has been damaged during the recent air raids on London. An oil bomb started a fire on one of the towers and a ‘Molotoff breadbasket’ and a shower of incendiaries fell on the building. Firemen saved the east wing from complete destruction, but the rest of the house is a shell. Holland House, just off Kensington High-street, was London’s great Whig salon in the 18th century and the home of Charles James Fox, and also earlier, of Joseph Addison, founder of the Spectator. Photo shows – The famous library containing a number of valuable and historical books was completely wrecked. The spectacle of the three men shown inspecting books in the library was likely staged for propaganda purposes. 23 October 1940. Photo: Harrison for Fox Photos Limited. Public Domain. Source: Wikimedia Commons.