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Pretending Collection

Background imagePretending Collection: The Bright Young People - mock Rayner-Ponsonby wedding

The Bright Young People - mock Rayner-Ponsonby wedding
A group of Bright Young Things indulging in one of their many silly pranks, in this case a mock wedding where Elizabeth Ponsonby married John Rayner. The best man was Robert Byron

Background imagePretending Collection: The Party by Muriel Dawson

The Party by Muriel Dawson
A little girl in a pink dress entertains her toys with a tea party in her playroom

Background imagePretending Collection: Bonzo palms the pill by George Studdy

Bonzo palms the pill by George Studdy
Bonzo palms the pill -- he is given a pill, but only pretends to take it

Background imagePretending Collection: Rock a Bye Baby by Muriel Dawson

Rock a Bye Baby by Muriel Dawson
A little girl in a charming sun hat, sits in a hammock and rocks her doll to sleep

Background imagePretending Collection: Little Girl on the phone at a Trade Show

Little Girl on the phone at a Trade Show
A little girl on the telephone seated on the desk of a stand at a Trade Show. The Midlands Gas Board stand can be seen in the background. Photograph by Norman Synge Waller Budd

Background imagePretending Collection: Colonel Barker - Valerie Smith Page from The Graphic reporting on the case of Colonel

Colonel Barker - Valerie Smith Page from The Graphic reporting on the case of Colonel
Page from The Graphic reporting on the case of Colonel Barker (aka John Hill and Geoffrey Norton), who was born Lilias Irma Valerie Barker in 1895

Background imagePretending Collection: DAVENPORT POSTER 2

DAVENPORT POSTER 2
Poster for Ira Davenport, who returned to the stage after the death of his brother William : pretending to be spirit mediums they were skilful stage magicians. Date: 1894

Background imagePretending Collection: Funny little toddler boy pretending to be a Strongman

Funny little toddler boy pretending to be a Strongman
insertcaption Date: circa 1920s

Background imagePretending Collection: Ethel and her young brother in fancy dress

Ethel and her young brother in fancy dress
Ethel and her younger brother in fine fancy dress costume - this scene is in part a satire on the penchant for women to wear large and enveloping hats during this period. Date: 1913

Background imagePretending Collection: Two children in fancy dress; the little boy is dressed as a chef while a little girl

Two children in fancy dress; the little boy is dressed as a chef while a little girl makes a very respectable maid or waitress. Date: 1920s

Background imagePretending Collection: Behind the scenes in a film studio 1924

Behind the scenes in a film studio 1924
Various trick techniques used to achieve certain effects in a film studio, sketched by D. Macpherson in The Sphere

Background imagePretending Collection: Holding up the pillar

Holding up the pillar
Three men and two small children pretend to be supporting the weight of a rather precariously leaning pillar - part of quite a grand countryside entrance way. Date: late 1930s

Background imagePretending Collection: Sir Edward George Clarke and Joseph Chamberlain

Sir Edward George Clarke and Joseph Chamberlain
A Queer C. Sir Edward George Clarke (1841-1931), British Statesman and Lawyer and (in background, shooting) Joseph Chamberlain (1836-1914). Date: 1900

Background imagePretending Collection: Queen Elizabeth I dancing in her Palace in all her finery

Queen Elizabeth I dancing in her Palace in all her finery
Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) is pictured here dancing before a rich man in her Palace wearing a beautiful skirt with a corset and her traditional thick layer of make-up

Background imagePretending Collection: Three French women (pretending to be Spanish)

Three French women (pretending to be Spanish) pose in a photographic studio as musician, dancer and (male!) bullfighter !! Date: 1910s

Background imagePretending Collection: Members of the Ballet Montmartre pose for artist, Harrogate

Members of the Ballet Montmartre pose for artist, Harrogate
Members of the Ballet Montmartre (on tour in the UK as part of an all-French Variety Bill) pose for Hungarian Artist Jean-Georges Simon in Harrogate

Background imagePretending Collection: Human models pretending to be a marble statue

Human models pretending to be a marble statue
A pair of nude (mostly) human models pretending to be a marble statues, complete with rocky plinth! Date: circa 1910s

Background imagePretending Collection: Two little girls sitting on 1934 Matchless motorcycle

Two little girls sitting on 1934 Matchless motorcycle
Two little girls sitting on 1934 Matchless 250cc OHV motorcycle posing for camera in the 1930s

Background imagePretending Collection: Cartoon, Anti-Saccharites

Cartoon, Anti-Saccharites, or John Bull and his Family leaving off the use of Sugar, by James Gillray

Background imagePretending Collection: Davenport Brothers

Davenport Brothers
The brothers William and Ira Davenport, pretending to be spirit mediums but actually clever stage magicians

Background imagePretending Collection: Two anthropomorphic cat entertainers as The Dolly Sisters

Two anthropomorphic cat entertainers as The Dolly Sisters
In the footsteps of the Dolly Sisters - two anthropomorphic cat entertainers in the performing guise of the Dolly Sisters

Background imagePretending Collection: Playing school

Playing school
Two children (and their dog) line up their toys to play schools. Date: c.1920

Background imagePretending Collection: Miss Evelyn Millard in The Adventure of Lady Ursula

Miss Evelyn Millard in The Adventure of Lady Ursula
The Adventure of Lady Ursula by Anthony Hope. First produced at the Duke of Yorks Theatre, London, on 11 October 1898, revival at the Garrick Theatre 5 January 1909

Background imagePretending Collection: Richard III

Richard III - pretending he is too holy to want to become king. 1862

Background imagePretending Collection: Children pretending to cook

Children pretending to cook. Date: early 1960s

Background imagePretending Collection: Cartoon, The Little War, WW1

Cartoon, The Little War, WW1
Cartoon, The Little War. Children playing a war game. One of them tells his friend: Don t yell like that, you re supposed to be dead! Date: 1917

Background imagePretending Collection: Seven young Japanese toddlers fooling around

Seven young Japanese toddlers fooling around Date: circa 1906

Background imagePretending Collection: Jeanne Comtesse du Barry and two adolescent girls

Jeanne Comtesse du Barry and two adolescent girls
JEANNE, COMTESSE DU BARRY (1743 - 1793) Mistress of Louis XV : in a garden with two adolescent girls, one pretending to be a statue while the other seems to be imploring her... Date: circa 1770

Background imagePretending Collection: Boy in policemans uniform in a garden

Boy in policemans uniform in a garden, pretending to direct traffic. Date: circa 1920s

Background imagePretending Collection: Cartoon, Convalescent leave, WW1

Cartoon, Convalescent leave, WW1
Cartoon, Convalescent leave, showing two girls chatting to a little boy dressed as a soldier who has a bandage on his knee

Background imagePretending Collection: Cartoon, Mutiny, WW1

Cartoon, Mutiny, WW1
Cartoon, Mutiny -- French children playing war games, some of them representing the German enemy. They are in the Rue St Vincent, Montmartre, Paris, near the Sacre Coeur. Date: 1915

Background imagePretending Collection: Wilson and Nelstrop asleep on Coniston Water, Lake District

Wilson and Nelstrop asleep on Coniston Water, Lake District
Wilson and Nelstrop asleep on a boat on Coniston, Lake District, or more likely pretending to sleep - another photograph giving the lie to Edwardian conformity. Date: circa 1907

Background imagePretending Collection: Two men in rowing boat, Coniston

Two men in rowing boat, Coniston, identified as Wilson and Nelstrop the photographers friends, pretending to sleep as the boat drifts away. Date: circa 1907

Background imagePretending Collection: A child pretending he is a musician. Illustration

A child pretending he is a musician. Illustration published in Harpers Magazine. Engraving

Background imagePretending Collection: Children play at tanks by Leslie Shaw

Children play at tanks by Leslie Shaw
We re not little wretches - we re the Tanks!" Two little boys, with heads in coal scuttles pretend to be tanks and scare their girl playmate. Date: 1917

Background imagePretending Collection: Soliders of the King, Children playing at war, WW1

Soliders of the King, Children playing at war, WW1
Charming illustration showing a line of little boys queuing up outside a recruiting office dressed up as soldiers with the imaginative use of a variety of boxes, flags, paper hats and borrowed items

Background imagePretending Collection: Children playing 1895

Children playing 1895
Three children pretend that they are on a horse and cart, using dining room chairs and a little horse on wheels as transport. Date: 1895

Background imagePretending Collection: Kissing her Majestys hand, learning to curtsey at court

Kissing her Majestys hand, learning to curtsey at court
A young woman is tutored in the art of gracefully dropping to a curtsey during her presentation at court at the school of Miss Cowper Coles

Background imagePretending Collection: Little girl writing a letter by Muriel Dawson

Little girl writing a letter by Muriel Dawson
A little girl pretending to write a letter by Muriel Dawson Date: circa 1920s

Background imagePretending Collection: Advertisement for Lifeguard soap

Advertisement for Lifeguard soap -- little girl and adult female models posing (Sandra Palmer and Geraldine Hill). 1959

Background imagePretending Collection: Two European girls dressed as Geishas playing music

Two European girls dressed as Geishas playing music (on a Shamisen-style instrument) during the tea ceremony. Date: circa 1910s

Background imagePretending Collection: Two European girls dressed as Geishas enact the Tea Ceremony

Two European girls dressed as Geishas enact the Tea Ceremony Date: circa 1910s

Background imagePretending Collection: WW1 - Cute patriotic British postcard - emulating ancestors

WW1 - Cute patriotic British postcard - emulating ancestors
WW1 - Cute patriotic British postcard - a little boy strives to emulate the military feats of our ancestors, or in this case his elders! Date: circa 1916

Background imagePretending Collection: WW1 era - Comic Postcard - On Neutral Ground

WW1 era - Comic Postcard - On Neutral Ground - a young boy stands with flag aloft, surrounded by his defenders as the ominous spectre of Nanny approaches... Date: circa 1916

Background imagePretending Collection: British troops in India pretend to be rock-breaking convicts

British troops in India pretend to be rock-breaking convicts
British troops stationed in India having a bit of fun playing at being convicts

Background imagePretending Collection: A girl in need of rescue - Comic Postcard

A girl in need of rescue - Comic Postcard
A humorous American seaside postcard with the caption: " Just a Mere Maid looking for a LIfe Guard

Background imagePretending Collection: Russian Boys playing war games

Russian Boys playing war games
Two young Russian Boys take sides in this propaganda postcard from the First World War era, one pretending to be the valiant Russian Forces, fighting from behind their defences (foreground)

Background imagePretending Collection: Hypnotist directing a group of people to do unusual things

Hypnotist directing a group of people to do unusual things: men pretending to race while seated on man suspended between two chairs and audience volunteering for military duty with brooms as rifles

Background imagePretending Collection: A morning drive

A morning drive
Children pretending to be riding in a horse and trap, from a postcard series of games and pastimes. Date: 1904

Background imagePretending Collection: The Queen of Make-Believe by Richard B. Ogle

The Queen of Make-Believe by Richard B. Ogle
A small girl with a solemn expression sits on a throne in a long while dress, holding a sceptre while two toy soldiers stand guard either side of her. Date: 1925

Background imagePretending Collection: Cartoon - The Officers Mess

Cartoon - The Officers Mess
The Officers Mess! Four young boys playing at being soldiers act in a very un-soldier-like manner, eating, drinking and generally lounging about! Date: circa 1915

Background imagePretending Collection: Dollies wedding

Dollies wedding
A group of girls have a pretend wedding ceremony, playing the bride and groom, vicar and guesses. Date: 1882

Background imagePretending Collection: Children in their pirates cave

Children in their pirates cave
Pretending to be pirates Date: Circa 1880

Background imagePretending Collection: Three boys playing at Motoring

Three boys playing at Motoring - two drive their wooden pretend car, complete with strapped in seat, horn (s) and solid wooden wheels

Background imagePretending Collection: Two boys playing at riding a Carriage

Two boys playing at riding a Carriage. One urges on the team of four piebald hobby horses with a whip, while the other sends forth a blast on his horn announcing their departure. Date: circa 1910s

Background imagePretending Collection: Two illustrations, The Queen of the Pirate Isle

Two illustrations, The Queen of the Pirate Isle, showing (1) Polly riding on the back of her cousin Hickory Hunt, as they pretend to make for a desert island in a storm

Background imagePretending Collection: Three boys playing at Fox Hunting

Three boys playing at Fox Hunting, two on their hobby horses and one wearing a fox suit! They even have two dogs with them. Date: circa 1910s

Background imagePretending Collection: Four boys playing at Bullfighting

Four boys playing at Bullfighting. The dead wooden bull is dragged away by a team of two piebald rocking horses Date: circa 1910s

Background imagePretending Collection: Initiation of the Private Secretary

Initiation of the Private Secretary
Ceremonial initiation consisting of the enactment of a heated discussion between two Brothers pretending to be Salomon and the King of Tyr. 1890s

Background imagePretending Collection: Children in Nursery 1905

Children in Nursery 1905
Children playing games in the nursery; a boy pretends his two little sisters are horses! circa 1905

Background imagePretending Collection: Now then, John, whip them orse up or we shan t catch the t

Now then, John, whip them orse up or we shan t catch the t
Simple wooden box on wheels turns into a horse a cart with a little bit of a childs emagination. Date: 1897

Background imagePretending Collection: Off to Market by Muriel Dawson

Off to Market by Muriel Dawson
A sweet little girl in an orange dress, carries a brightly striped umbrella and a blue basket on her way to market

Background imagePretending Collection: My Tea Party by Muriel Dawson

My Tea Party by Muriel Dawson
A small blonde girl enjoys playing with a toy tea set. A tiny toy soldier on the other side of the table appears to be her only guest

Background imagePretending Collection: Tea Time by Muriel Dawson

Tea Time by Muriel Dawson
A little girl with blonde hair sits in a chair and solemnly feeds her baby doll

Background imagePretending Collection: Children play with pretend Motor Car

Children play with pretend Motor Car
Two young children convert the family wheelbarrow into a far more exciting pretend Motor Car

Background imagePretending Collection: Learning how to bring on an overtaking car / W H Robinson

Learning how to bring on an overtaking car / W H Robinson
Illustration by William Heath Robinson. Please note: Credit must appear as Courtesy of the estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger Ltd/Mary Evans Picture Library

Background imagePretending Collection: Childrens Carnival

Childrens Carnival
Two children dressed up for a fancy dress party. A little girl has a rather nice witch outfit with a dress appliqued with black cats and a broom, while a little boy has come as a swashbuckling pirate

Background imagePretending Collection: Wilson as Hypocrite

Wilson as Hypocrite
WOODROW WILSON depicted as a hypocrite, pretending to be neutral but in practice aiding the English

Background imagePretending Collection: Davenports in Poland

Davenports in Poland
Stage magicians William and Ira Davenport toured the world pretending to be spirit mediums : a poster for their performances in Poland

Background imagePretending Collection: Boy and Globe

Boy and Globe
A boy holds a globe above his head, perhaps pretending to be Atlas ?

Background imagePretending Collection: Thought Reading

Thought Reading
The fashionable amusement of pretending to discern ideas in other persons minds has adepts who occasionally succ- -eed in performing this feat to the wonder of spectators

Background imagePretending Collection: Pretending Ghost

Pretending Ghost
A man dresses up as an archetypal ghost and stands in a graveyard flapping his drapes, alarming passers-by



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