Phoney Collection

Harry Price in Lab
Psychical researcher and author, who used his knowledge of stage magic to expose phoney mediums, poltergeists and other scams, seen in his laboratory

Air Raid patrol in London, WWII
Portrait study of a man on guard to warn the city of air attacks, with rattle in his hand to announce the use of gas - his handbell to sound the All Clear

Harry Price in 1900
Psychical researcher, painted in 1900 before he had embarked on his career as exposer of phoney mediums and the like

Two women preparing for show at Windmill Theatre 1939
Two women in tin helmets photographed as they prepare for a show at the Windmill Theatre. The Windmill Theatre, which today uses the motto " we never closed"

Young boy alone on a playground swing 1939
Photograph showing a young boy on a swing in Geraldine May Harmsworth Park. The park is empty following the evacuation of thousands of children in the first few weeks following the outbreak of war

Decontaminator in full uniform, September 1939
A London decontaminator in an anti-gas protective suit. As a result of fears of chemical warfare in the early stages of the Second World War

The Gas-Repellent Suit, September 1939
A demonstration of the gas-repellant suit complete with hood, trousers, jumper and mittens made from oiled silk. The outfit was deliberately lightweight, weighing little over 100g (4oz or c.113g)

Baby lying down with gas mask on, September 1939
Baby lying in their specialised baby gas mask as someone operates the pumping valve in the background. The image was drawn after a special demonstration of the respirator

Men painting warning signs for unexploded bombs, Sept 1939
ARP volunteers painting wooden boards with; " keep clear unexploded bomb" to be used as a warning to civilians when a bomb fails to explode. Date: 1939

Burying the stalls of Canterbury Cathedral Nave, Sept 1939
Men burying the stalls of the nave in Canterbury Cathedral in order to protect them from air raid damage. The Sphere describes how a train was used to transport the tons of earth to the Cathedral for

Huge blinds used to camouflage a factory, Sept 1939
Huge dark blinds used to camouflage an entire factory on an A-road just outside of London. Blackout regulations were imposed two days before the outbreak of war to make the factory less visible to

Canterbury Cathedral Crypt supports, September 1939
Photograph of the 843-year-old crypt of Canterbury Cathedral in which the apex of the vaulting has been supported with a series of wooden beams as a precaution against potential air raid damage

College boys returning to Eton with gas masks, Sept 1939
Boys returning to Eton to resume their education after the Summer holidays, shortly after the outbreak of the Second World War earlier that month. Each boy carries a gas mask and wears a top hat

Women painting kerbside for blackouts, September 1939
Women of the Voluntary Ambulance Service painting the kerbside between their headquarters and the first-aid post to allow them to find their way in a blackout. Date: 1939

The West End in blackout, September 1939
Photograph of the West End in blackout, shortly after the outbreak of war in September 1939. The Sphere describes the sight as " extraordinarily eerie". 1939

Air raid precautions at Westminster Abbey, September 1939
Selection of pictures detailing the precautions in place for the protection of Westminster Abbey during the war. This included; a fire squad to patrol the cloisters

Three men at the cinema with their gas masks, September 1939
Three men queuing for the cinema with their gas masks, next to a sign informing cinema-goers that an announcement will be made from the stage if an air raid occurs

Mother holding baby and specialised gas mask, Sept 1939
An East end mother smiling as she holds her baby and baby gas mask in each hand. Meanwhile, the Sphere comments on the " non-committal" skepticism with which the child stares at the device

Two women with infants and new baby gas masks, Sept 1939
Two East end mothers wheeling their children and new baby gas masks through a London street. Accompanied by a caption reminding the reader to always carry a gas mask

Londoners travelling to work amid wartime delays 1939
Londoners photographed as they travel after experiencing delays due to air raid warnings. The Sphere describes " three hours suburban traffic" but reports that " by 9.30 and 10 a.am

Precautionary camouflaging of tents, September 1939
A group of people camouflage a tent in the countryside to protect it from potential air raids, following the outbreak of the war

Patient on stretcher lifted onto evacuation coach 1939
Patient of Barts hospital lifted on a stretcher into a specially fitted Green Line hospital coach. As part of the preparations for war

New mother evacuated from hospital 1939
A nurse giving a few words of encouragement to a new mother and her baby as she lies on a stretcher, waiting to be evacuated by ambulance from Westminster hospital

ALBERT AS SPORTSMAN 1845
" SPORT!" or " A BATTUE MADE EASY" Prince Albert depicted as the phoney sportsman hunting from his armchair. Date: 1819-1861

French tanks WWII
French tanks on manoeuvers during the Phoney War in the 7 months following the German invasions of Poland in September 1939 during World War II

Harry Price Smoking
Psychical researcher and author, who used his knowledge of stage magic to expose phoney mediums, poltergeists and other scams

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