Special Collection

HMS Good Hope in Great War Deeds, WW1
HMS Good Hope of the British Royal Navy going down with her last guns firing, in an action against overwhelming odds off the coast of Chile, South America

Colonel David Stirling with a patrol in the desert
Colonel David Stirling with a patrol of Special Air Service (SAS) men in the Middle East. Date: 1944

The Illustrated London News Festival of Britain issue
The Festival of Britain exhibition opening, a special number from The Illustrated London News. The front cover was created by Terence Cuneo 1907-1996

Army Chaplain in Great War Deeds, WW1
An Army Chaplain holding a night service on the battlefield, with a packing case as an altar and a tin mug as a chalice. Reproduction of a painting by A C Michael in Great War Deeds

Playtime at Wimbledon. by William Heath Robinson
The new craze of Jazz Tennis caught in full swing by our extra special artist. A humorous illustration of tennis players dancing the foxtrot on a tennis court

First airmail letter delivered, Windsor Castle
The first airmail letter ever to be delivered is handed to the Postmaster of Windsor, to whom it is addressed, on the East Lawn of Windsor Castle

Bryant and May safety match matchbox label
Bryant and May special safety match matchbox label with prize medals and stating protection from fire and are not poisonous Date: c. 1910s

Marriage certificate, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip
Marriage certificate of Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor (Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II) and Philip Mountbatten (Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh)

The Battle of the Roer Triangle; Second World War, 1945
Sketch showing the Allied Second Army crossing the Vloed Beek in Holland during a night attack on the 17th January 1945. On the left of the image one can see sappers constructing an improvised

Alexandra Palace, the home of the B. B. C. The large transmitt
Alexandra Palace as the home of the B.B.C television service in 1936 showing the mast and transmitting aerials for vision and sound

Jesus Rejects Satan
Jesus, in the wilderness, is tempted by Satan with attractive special offers, but rejects them and him

Advert for Dunvilles Whisky, Belfast 1911
Advertisement for Dunvilles Special Liqueur Whisky and Sunvilles Fine Old Whisky - " Going since 1808 - Quality now better than ever". Dunville & Co. Ltd

Ad for Goodbye, Old Man by Matania, WW1
Advertisement in The Sphere magazine promoting one of the most popular images painted by their special artist Fortunino Matania as a limited edition print

LCC-LFB Fire display at Brigade HQ Southwark
The London Fire Brigade encouraged, for very many years, a good public image by opening its doors to the public to special fire brigade displays

Golden Arrow Pullman advertisement
Colour advert for the new Golden Arrow Pullman train from London to Paris with special boat service

Portrait of Winston Churchill
A colour tinted photograph of Winston Churchill stood in the gardens of 10 Downing Street during the second world war

Lockheed P-38 Lightning in action; Second World War, 1944
Illustration showing an US Air Force Lockheed P-38 Lightning shooting down a German aeroplane during the Second World War

Poster advertising a Cooks Tours railway excursion
A poster advertising a Cooks Tours railway excursion, described as a charming excursion to the West of England, calling at Cheltenham, Gloucester, Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth

de Havilland DH. 112 Sea Venom F. A. W. 21 XA539
de Havilland DH.112 Sea Venom F.A.W.21 XA539, flying with the Aero Flight from RAE Bedford. First flown on 21 May 1954, delivered on 03 June 1954

Royal family at home, special sitting for ILN, May 1942
The Royal Family at home. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth are seen chatting, Princess Elizabeth, just sixteen is knitting (for the troops)

Western Airways Poster
Poster, Norman Edgar (Western Airways) Ltd, showing prices and times from Bristol to various destinations by Air Express Daily, including special day returns. 20th century

The Shipbuilder, Special Aquitania Number
Front cover of The Shipbuilder industry journal, June 1914 issue, focusing on the Cunard cruise liner Aquitania, launched the same year

Commandos Crossing the Rhine at Wesel; Second World War, 194
Sketch showing the night crossing of the River Rhine, made by British Royal Marine Commandos of the 21st Army Group, near Wesel in Germany, 23rd March 1945

Poster for Ovo Sports Food
Advertising poster for Ovo Sport, a special food developed to provide nourishment during sport and training. The tagline claims Instant Fortification

Airmail postcards at Gamages, London
People at Gamages in Holborn, Central London, addressing postcards and posting them in the special London Aerial Postbox, in time for the first aerial mail service from Hendon to Windsor

Douglas Dakota picking up a glider, Normandy; Second World W
Illustration showing a Douglas Dakota, C-47 Skytrain, swooping down with a hook trailing to pick up a Waco glider, Normandy, France, 1944

Lms down Special
The London Midland and Scottish Railways Down Special mail train heads north with the Scottish Mail

A succesful crop of potatoes grown using Hadfields Manure
A succesful crop of potatoes grown using Hadfields Special Potato Manure - George Hadfield & Co. Ltd. (Established 1820) - Bone, fertilizer & Vitriol Works, Liverpool. Date: circa 1910s

John Laverick, SBS on Crete during Operation Albumen - WWII
John Laverick, SBS and famed cook!) preparing a meal on Crete during Operation Albumen. Photograph taken by Colonel David Sutherland of SBS and SAS

Winston Churchill posing in the garden of the White House
Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister, posing hte the grounds of the White House, Washington, dressed in his siren suit. Churchill was in the USA for a meeting with Franklin D

Buddha and Sujata
SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA, known as the BUDDHA ( Enlightened One ) He is entertained by Sujata, daughter of a village lord, who prepares very special foods to nourish him

Cunard White Star Liner Queen Mary
The Shipbuilder and Marine Engine-Builder Special Souvenir Issue: The Cunard White Star Liner Queen Mary

View of Scotch whisky warehouses 1890
General view of warehouses of Andrew Usher & Co, in Edinburgh, purchasing agents for the Glenlivet and Royal Brackla distillieries

Pearly King, Pearly Queen and daughter, North London
Pearly King, Pearly Queen and daughter, riding in a cart drawn by a mule, North London. Date: 1922

Naval personnel watch H-bomb test, Malden Island
British naval personnel in special protective clothing watch a thermonuclear H-bomb test over Malden Island in the central Pacific Ocean. Date: 1956

Barman standing by well-stocked bar
Barman standing by a well-stocked bar. The cash register displays an advertisement for Bass & Co Barley Wine. Packets of Capstan cigarettes are on display below. Date: circa 1910

St Olave Union Workhouse, Ladywell, South London - Dining Ha
The festively decorated dining-hall at the St Olave Union Workhouse, Ladywell, South London - presumably a special occasion such as Christmas or a royal celebration

Barbara Woodhouse & Dog
Famous dog trainer Barbara Woodhouse (1910 - 1988), seen here with Junia the Great Dane doggie film star, who must have her grey mouth hairs darkened with special make-up! Date: late 1960s

Hayes winning the Marathon Race. Olympic Games, London 1908
Photograph of John Hayes, American athlete, in the final leg of the marathon race at the London Olympic Games in 1908. Dorando Pietri of Italy collapsed after entering the stadium ahead of the pack

Hansons Special Mild Ale

Ghostly apparition produced by reflection. Date: 19th century

Advertisement for Nuit de Noel perfume by Caron, Paris. 1929

Bystander Riviera number cover 1935
Smart society enjoying the sunshine and amusements of the French Riviera in 1935. Front cover of The Bystander magazines special Riviera number

The Mimosa Daily Mail arrives in Nice
An aeroplane arriving in Nice to deliver copies of the Mimosa Daily Mail, a special Riviera edition of the newspaper for people enjoying some winter sunshine in the fashionable South of France

Coronation design, Maison Prunier
Coronation cover from Maison Prunier (a special menu perhaps?) celebrating the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother)

Market Reports Series - Country Ducks arriving
One of the Market Reports illustrated postcard series. Country Ducks arrived in excellent condition. Date: 1903

Poster advertising the Special Constabulary, seeking fit men and women for part-time voluntary service. Civil Defence is Common Sense. Ask for details at your local police station. 1940s

Bystander Silver Jubilee Number 1935
Front cover of a special Bystander number marking the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935

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