Customs Collection

Japanese Dolls / Owners
Dolls displayed in the childrens festival at Hina-no-matsuri, Japan

Gretna Green Building
The famous Old Smithy and Marriage Room at Gretna Green, Dumfries, Scotland - the haven for runaway couples from England

First Christmas Card by Sir Henry Cole and John Horsley
Reputedly the first Christmas card, this was designed by Horsley in 1843, and a coloured version sent out by Sir Henry Cole in 1846

Old English Proverbs and Sayings by Pauline Baynes
A staggering 149 sayings illustrated on one page by Pauline Baynes, all played out by a huge cast of medieval characters

New Year fireworks, Funchal harbour, Madeira, Portugal
An impressive firework display at Funchal harbour, Madeira, celebrating the arrival of the New Year

Walter Cranes Garland
Walter Crane shows his political allegiance in this May Day design. The ribbon that holds the garland of flowers together bears the slogans of his creed

Irish Guards Shamrock
The duke of Connaught presents Irish Guardsmen with a sprig of shamrock each

Singing Auld Lang Syne
The song of many happy people and sentimental drunks upon New Years Eve, Auld Lang Syne, a traditional air with words by Robert Burns

Olney Pancake Race
SHROVE TUESDAY The starter line for the Olney pancake race which has been held in the village for over 500 years. Any Olney woman over 18 can compete

Christmas / Nativity Scene
Nativity scene

St Lucys Day
Saint Lucys day (15 December) The girl chosen to be Lucia carries coffee and cakes to those preparing Christmas gifts and decorations

Moloch
MOLOCH the Phoenician deity to whom live children were sacrificed by fire Date: 7th century BC

Advert for Jays of London Mourning for families
An advertisement for mourning clothes for all the family from Jays London General Mourning Warehouse. Date: 1888

Halloween / Witch Dances
A witch dances with her black cat and a pumpkin

African warrior at ngoma, Mombasa, Kenya, East Africa
African warrior at a ngoma (traditional music and dance festival) in Mombasa, Kenya, East Africa. 1924

Black Waiter with Thanksgiving Turkey
A jovial black waiter in America raises aloft the Thanksgiving Turkey on this Greetings card

Longest Day at Stonehenge, Wiltshire
People gathering at Stonehenge, Wiltshire on the longest day of the year, on or near 21 June 1912. This photograph shows a daybreak pilgrimage by members of The Universal Bond of the Sons of Men

Smugglers Unload Goods
A band of smugglers unload their cargo of contraband into a secluded coastal cave, constantly checking for any nearby customs men

Wassailing Apple Trees
In Devon and Somerset, apple growers wassail orchards on 17 January, with songs and a bucket of hot cider; a tree is lightly sprinkled, then the wassailers drink the rest

Queen Victoria opening Parliament 1886
Queen Victoria opening Parliament, Lord Chancellor Baron Halsbury reading the Queens speech at Westminster Palace, London. Date: 21st January 1886

Doggetts Coat and Badge Race, River Thames, London
Watermen on duty at the end of Doggetts Coat and Badge Race on the River Thames. They are wearing the livery of the Fishmongers Company

Christmas Eve - about 1460 by Pauline Baynes
Christmas Eve, as celebrated in 1460 with children bringing in holly and the Yule Log to be lit on Christmas Day, and other joining in a last minute carol practice

Wrapping Gifts 1950S
Festive model in red baby doll nightie with broderie Anglaise trim & white slingback shoes sits on a cushion & wraps presents, showing her knickers in the process

Bunny and Child
A bunny dances with a child in a bunny costume, while coloured eggs lie on the grass and a robin sings on the bare branches of a silver birch

Fifth of November
Please to remember the fifth of November, The Gunpowder treason plot; I see no reason why Gunpowder treason, should ever be forgot. A stick and a stake for Victorias sake!

Turkey and Wishbone
Eat hearty - let the daye be your excuse - an invitation to Thanksgiving over- indulgence on the fourth Thursday in November

German Student Duel / 1880
A German students duel at Gottingen. The Mensur, as practised by German fraternities, is a fast yet rarely-lethal affair with cuts accepted as marks of honour

Marriage of Henry Tudor
The wedding ceremony of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York united the Houses of York and Lancaster

Christmas Cookery C1905
Preparing the Christmas dinner for all the family, not forgetting the kitten and the Household Gnome

Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette in wedding costumes
Louis XVI, King of France (1754-1793, reigned 1774-1792) with his wife Marie Antoinette (1755-1793) in their wedding costumes at the ages of 15 and 14 respectively

Christmas / Nativity
THE THREE WISE MEN arrive at the stable and present their gifts to the infant Jesus

First Authenticated Christmas Tree - Strasbourg
Christmas Tree in History and Legend: The Earliest Authenticated Christmas Tree in Strasbourg (at this time in Germany). A merchant of Strasburg (a Mr Forbes)

Caxton Hall, Caxton Street, St. James s, London, where many famous marriages took place in the late 20th century. Date: 19th century

Maypole dancing in the village of Paul, Cornwall
Adults and children dancing round a maypole in the village of Paul, near Penzance in Cornwall, with the tower of the parish church on the right. A crowd of people stand watching them

George V presenting colours to Irish Guards
King George V presenting new colours to the Irish Guards at Buckingham Palace

Rakes Progress 5
The Rakes Progress 5. A marriage ceremony

Royal visit to Henley Regatta by State Barge
King George V, Queen Mary and Princess Mary attending the Henley Regatta in the Royal Barge. The barge was built in 1689 by William III for his Consort, Queen Mary

Opening of the Colchester Oyster Fishery
Ceremonial scene at the opening of the annual Colchester Oyster Fishery. On the first Friday of September the Mayor of Colchester, the Town Clerk

Art Deco Wedding
Fashion design for an elegant wedding group. The brides dress is made from white brocade and satin. Bridesmaid wears a grey trimmed dress as does a wedding guest

Italian Wedding Card
Dancing cherubs on a good luck card, looking forward to the couples silver, gold and diamond anniversaries!

Customs / Saint Swithin s
According to tradition, if it rains on the 15th of July - St Swithins Day - it will continue to rain for the following 40 days

Helston Cornwall Furry
THE FLORAL DANCE takes place during Furry day at Helston, Cornwall At noon, couples in evening wear dance between the houses to bring the occupiers good luck

Padstow Hobby Horse
ENGLAND: PADSTOW HOBBY HORSE: MAY DAY. Oss, teaser & attendants dance. Any woman caught under the frame of the Oss will become pregnant before the end of the year

Santa and Reindeer
Santa and his reindeer flying through the sky with a sleigh full of Christmas goodies

Contract I Hogarth 1745
Marriage a la Mode 1. The Contract The Earl of Squanderfield and a rich Alderman of the City of London arrange a marriage between son and daughter

Baptism / Victoria Cecil
The christening of Victoria Cecil, daughter of Baron Carbery, at Burghley Chapel in the presence of Albert, her godfather, and Queen Victoria

Guy Fawkes Carnival
Carnival with fireworks on November Fifth at Bridgwater, Somerset

Hanging Stockings
Three girls take off their stockings and hang them on the mantelpiece for Santa to fill

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