Overalls Gallery

Ox roasting at Stratford-upon-Avon Mop Fair

Scene showing an ox being roasted at the Stratford upon Avon annual Mop Fair, Warwickshire. Farm workers, labourers, servants and some craftsmen would work for their employer from October to October. At the end of the employment they would attend the Mop Fair dressed in their Sunday best clothes and carrying an item signifying their trade. A servant with no particular skills would carry a mop head hence the term Mop Fair. Employers would move amongst them discussing experience and terms, and once agreement was reached the employer would give the employee a small token of money and the employee would wear bright ribbons to indicate that they had been hired. The stalls at the fair sold food and drink, while others offered games to play.
circa 1911

© Mary Evans Picture Library/The Pete Frost Collection

Former tin miner in the abandoned Levant tin mine

Former tin miner in the abandoned Levant tin mine, near Pendeen, Cornwall, England. He leans on some of the derelict machinery. The mine is now renovated, owned by The National Trust and turned into a museum. It houses the world's only Cornish beam engine still operated by steam on its original site. The Sunday Times 1991 Date: 1991

© Philip Dunn / Mary Evans Picture Library

HRH George, The Prince of Wales - The Volunteer Stoker

HRH George, The Prince of Wales (1865-1936) - as a Volunteer Stoker! The photograph was taken in 1909 on board the HMS Indomitable with the Officers and Members of his suite, one year prior to George becoming King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions (and Emperor of India) on the death of his Father King Edward VII. Date: 1909

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection