Workman Collection

Building Emp State Buil
A dizzy perch 350 yards above street level: A New York workman (Carl Russell) engaged on the worlds tallest bulding (at the time), the Empire State Building

Illustration, Railway Ribaldry by W Heath Robinson -- The building of Saltash Bridge. Date: 1935

No Fear
A curmudgeonly workman, balanced precariously on a chimney, looks at an aircraft during World War I and mutters, " Blowed if I d risk my bloomin neck"

Trades union membership certificate
A trades union membership certificate for the United Operative Plumbers Association of Great Britain and Ireland, with Defence and Defiance as their motto

Man at work, Dinorwig Slate Quarry, North Wales
A man at work, 150 feet up on the main face of Dinorwig (or Dinorwic) Slate Quarry, near Llanberis, North Wales

Splitting Slates
A workman uses a hammer and chisel to split slates in the biggest slate quarry in the world at Blaenau Ffestiniog, Merionethshire, Wales

Poster advertising Pollards Storefitters, showing workmen busy with their carpentry. 20th century

WW2 - Recycling cans to aid war effort in East Ham, London
WW2 - Recycling tin cans to aid the war effort in East Ham, London - April, 1940. Date: 1940

Construction workers working on the foreshore of the Solway Firth near Workington
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Locomotive Maintenance
A maintenance man checking over The White Knight steam locomotive at Waverley Station, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland

The Tyne Bridge under construction, 23rd February 1928 (b / w photo)
907791 The Tyne Bridge under construction, 23rd February 1928 (b/w photo) by Geddie, James (1879-1944); Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums; eTyne & Wear Archives & Museums; British, out of copyright

Woman police officer attending an accident where a man appears to have fallen off a ladder. She is speaking into her hand-held radio. Date: circa 1970s

The Engineer, 1867. The workman is using a file on an engine part held in a vice. Engineers made and maintained the steam engines and machinery used in manufacturing and transport

Railway cutting works, discovery of fossilised trees
Railway cutting works on the Manchester to Bolton line, discovery of fossilised trees. Date: 1840s

Workmen repairing part of the walkways on Tower Bridge

BROOKLYN: EBBETS FIELD. A crane with a wrecking ball on top of the visitors dugout at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York, 23 February 1960

VICTORIAs JUBILEE 1887
Victoria depicted with her loyal lion - the workman with his clay pipe and side of beef - and her unicorn - the upper class with its cigars and champagne

Oyster Stall, England
A bowler-hatted oyster seller watches while a workman, with his cap on the side of his head, helps himself to Cleethorpes oysters : probably in Lancashire

A Blast Furnace in Action Date: circa 1920s

Workman & Boss / Doffs Cap
A workman walking in the street with his wife puts his finger to his cap when his employer rides past

A man measuring the depth of insulation in a house loft or roof space. Insulating your loft can save a significant
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Keel of NEW YORK, 1911. Creator: Bain News Service
Keel of NEW YORK, 1911.

The Stevedores in Arles, 1888. Creator: Vincent van Gogh
The Stevedores in Arles, 1888.

Demolition of St. James' Hall, exterior, 1907. Creator: David Muirhead Bone
Demolition of St. James' Hall, exterior, 1907. Located on a site between Regent Street and Piccadilly, St James' Hall was a celebrated London concert hall where handsome performances were

The clock tower, Paris, 1852. Creator: Charles Meryon
The clock tower, Paris, 1852.

Escaped from Tampico, in launch, 1914. Creator: Bain News Service
Escaped from Tampico, in launch, 1914. Shows seven men who escaped in a small boat from Tampico, Mexico arriving in Galveston, Texas. The men left during the U.S

A visit to Penn's Marine Engine Factory, at Greenwich: turning a paddle shaft for a steam-ship, 1865. Illustration representing '...the enormous shaft for the paddles of a steam-ship

A visit to Penn's Marine Engine Factory, at Greenwich: turning a crank axle, 1865. Creator: Unknown
A visit to Penn's Marine Engine Factory, at Greenwich: turning a crank axle, 1865. Illustration representing '...the operation of turning a crank-axle in a mighty lathe...The various fitting

Penn's Machine-Engine Factory at Greenwich: the Large Machine-Shop and Turnery, 1865. Creator: Unknown
Penn's Machine-Engine Factory at Greenwich [London]: the Large Machine-Shop and Turnery, 1865. Engraving from a photograph by Mr. Nelson K

Penn's Machine-Engine Factory at Greenwich: the Erecting Shop, 1865. Creator: Unknown
Penn's Machine-Engine Factory at Greenwich [London]: the Erecting Shop, 1865. Engraving from a photograph by Mr. Nelson K

H.M.S. Leopard in dock at Shanghai, 1865. Creator: Unknown
H.M.S. Leopard in dock at Shanghai, 1865. 'An officer of H.M.S. Leopard has sent us a sketch of the position of that ship in Muirhead's Dock, Shanghai

"The Building of the New Castle on the Tyne, 1080", from a picture by W. B. Scott, 1865. Engraving of a painting

Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable:...workmen on the road between Killarney and Valencia, 1865 Creator: Unknown
Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable: encampment of workmen on the road between Killarney and Valencia, 1865. Engraving from a sketch by Robert Dudley

London Main-Drainage Works: view of the outfall of the Northern Drainage at Barking Creek, 1864. Creator: Unknown
London Main-Drainage Works: view of the outfall of the Northern Drainage at Barking Creek, 1864. Illustration of works on '...the great northern outfall on the Essex side of the Thames

The Metropolitan Main-drainage works at Crossness, 1864. Creator: Unknown
The Metropolitan Main-drainage works at Crossness, [Bexley], 1864. View of '...the works at this important outlet for the whole of the sewage drained from the area on the south side of

The railway works at Blackfriars and opening towards Ludgate Hill...from the temporary bridge, 1864
The railway works at Blackfriars and opening towards Ludgate Hill, viewed from the temporary bridge, [London], 1864. View '...overlooking, on its eastern side

The Shakspeare Pavilion at Stratford-on-Avon, 1864. Creator: Unknown
The Shakspeare Pavilion at Stratford-on-Avon, 1864. Building celebrating the tercentenary of William Shakespeare's birth,'...designed by Messrs

Barracks for British troops in course of erection at Yokohama...by our special artist in Japan, 1864 Creator: Unknown
Barracks for British troops in course of erection at Yokohama - from a sketch by our special artist in Japan, 1864. 'We engrave...[a] sketch taken by Mr

Interior of the Shakspeare Pavilion at Stratford-on-Avon, 1864. Creator: Unknown
The Shakspeare Pavilion at Stratford-on-Avon - interior, 1864. Building celebrating the tercentenary of William Shakespeare's birth,'...designed by Messrs

The Comic Offering, 1835
1574608 The Comic Offering, 1835; (add.info.: Workman smoking his pipe as he retiles a roof. Illustration from 'The Comic Offering', London, 1835)

Engraving depicting a workman and his wife picking flowers, 19th century
5309038 Engraving depicting a workman and his wife picking flowers, 19th century; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a workman and his wife picking flowers)

Mr Punch's advice to the British workman at the time of the opening of the Post Office Savings Bank, 1850
3478072 Mr Punch's advice to the British workman at the time of the opening of the Post Office Savings Bank, 1850; (add.info)

Moving beams on the 25th floor of the Empire State Building, published by William Edwin Rudge, 1931 (pencil on paper)
STC138072 Moving beams on the 25th floor of the Empire State Building, published by William Edwin Rudge, 1931 (pencil on paper) by Bailey

View of the cranes on the 8th floor of the Empire State Building, May 1930, published by William Edwin Rudge
STC138071 View of the cranes on the 8th floor of the Empire State Building, May 1930, published by William Edwin Rudge, 1931 (pencil on paper) by Bailey

Elderly male in a workshop, 1885
3479517 Elderly male in a workshop, 1885; (add.info.: Woodcut of a elderly male in a workshop. A younger female is shown seated staring downwards. Dated 1885.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Mr Punch's advice to the British workman at the time of the opening of the Post Office Savings Bank, 1850
3478426 Mr Punch's advice to the British workman at the time of the opening of the Post Office Savings Bank, 1850; (add.info)

A husband and wife picking flowers. 1868 (engraving)
5615906 A husband and wife picking flowers. 1868 (engraving); Universal History Archive/UIG

Mr Punch's advice to the British workman at the time of the opening of the Post Office Savings Bank
531859 Mr Punch's advice to the British workman at the time of the opening of the Post Office Savings Bank. Save money by giving up drink (alcohol) From Punch, London

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"Building Empires, State by State: A Tribute to the Workman" In this captivating illustration from "Railway Ribaldry" by W Heath Robinson, we witness the ingenuity and dedication of a workman. With his tools in hand, he embodies the spirit of craftsmanship that has shaped our world. Displayed proudly alongside is a trades union membership certificate, symbolizing solidarity and protection for workers' rights. It serves as a reminder of the collective strength that empowers individuals like our workman to strive for better conditions and fair treatment. A snapshot captures another remarkable moment in history - a man diligently working at Dinorwig Slate Quarry in North Wales. His unwavering commitment echoes through time, reminding us that hard work knows no boundaries or limitations. "No Fear" resonates boldly across an inspiring poster advertising Pollards Storefitters. This motto encapsulates the fearless attitude required to tackle any challenge head-on; it reminds us that with determination and resilience, success is within reach. The image of workers splitting slates during World War II evokes memories of unity and sacrifice. These men understood the importance of recycling cans to aid the war effort in East Ham, London – their contribution played an integral role in protecting their nation's freedom. Moving forward in time, construction workers on the foreshore near Workington install power cables for Robin Rigg offshore wind farm. Their tireless efforts ensure sustainable energy sources for generations to come – proof that every they are make a lasting impact on our planet's future. Locomotive maintenance unveils yet another facet of skilled labor – these unsung heroes keep our railways running smoothly day after day. Their expertise ensures safe travels for countless passengers who rely on efficient transportation systems worldwide. Delving deeper into history reveals railway cutting works where fossilized trees were discovered. The diligent excavation carried out by these dedicated workmen unraveled secrets hidden beneath layers of earth - connecting us with our prehistoric past.