Assistant Collection (#8)

GERMAN BLACKSMITH
A German blacksmith and his assistant work on a horseshoe. Date: 19th Century

Villiage shop 1867
Long established shop with the shopkeeper starting as an apprentice and taking over the company many years later. Date: 1867

SHOPPING FOR BONNETS
Judging from Appearance, a canny shop assistant infers that a bonnet being tried on by the wife takes years off her age by mistaking her for her husbands daughter. Date: 1828

LIFT ASSISTANT
A lift girl opens the lift doors and waits outside the lift in her uniform. Date: 1930s

TANTRUM IN A HAT SHOP
A woman wearing a fox stole around her shoulders (complete with two heads) throws a tantrum in the middle of a hat shop - her partner has to explain to the shop assistant. Date: 1930s

Paracelsus - Secretary
Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombast von Hohenheim, known as Paracelsus depicted dictating to his assistant

17th century Tailors
A pair of tailors at work : one, who wears a wig, stands at a table with shears to cut cloth, while his assistant sits stitching. Date: 17th century

Charles Delahaye, 1852-53. Creator: Charles Marville
Charles Delahaye, 1852-53

The Indian Leader, the Mahatma Gandhi, c1930s. Creator: Unknown
The Indian Leader, the Mahatma Gandhi, c1930s. Mahatma Gandhi led a successful campaign for Indias independence from British Rule. From " Tour of the World"

Finishing Touches - Madame Sarah Bernhardt in Dressing Room
Finishing Touches - Madame Sarah Bernhardt in her Dressing Room Date: 1894

Z. A. Arapova, left, a senior laboratory assistant in a ?
Z.A. Arapova, left, a senior laboratory assistant in a Russian astronautical laboratory, fastens registration contacts on cosmonaut A

The Conference Department team, October 1997. From left?
The Conference Department team, October 1997. From left: Maria Aprilante, Deputy Conference Manager; Sue Leverton, Conference Officer, Gail Broadbent, Senior Conference Officer and Julia Goss

Launcher Control Assistant, Sgt W. Lewis, of the 32nd G?
Launcher Control Assistant, Sgt W. Lewis, of the 32nd Guided Weapons Regiment of the Royal Artillery at Ty Croes, North Wales

American Naval Diver wears three-fingered watertight rubber gloves, 1937
An American Naval Diver wears three-fingered watertight rubber gloves unlike the British diver, who generally works with bare hands, 1937. From Shipping Wonders of the World, Vol

Removing Biscuits from Oven, c1917. From How It is Made, by Archibald Williams. [Thomas Nelson and Sons, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and New York]

Chimney Sweep, Cries of London, (c1688?)
Chimney Sweep. Two chimney-sweeps, one carrying a long brush. From Cries of London, (c1688?)

Any Bellows to Mend, Cries of London, (c1688?)
Any Bellows to Mend. A bellows mender at work, seated on a stool, while an assistant passes him a tool. From Cries of London, (c1688?)

The State Tinkers, 1780
The State Tinkers, Pub. 10th February 1780 by W. Humphrey (hand coloured engraving). Showing Lord Frederick North (1732 - 1792); John Montague, 4th Earl of Sandwich (1718 - 1792); George Germain

Constantijn Huygens and his Clerk, 1627, (c1915). Artist: Thomas de Keyser
Constantijn Huygens and his Clerk, 1627, (c1915). Held by the National Gallery, London. From International Art: Past and Present by Alfred Yockney. [Virtue & Company, London, c1915]

Captain G. E. T. Eyston and assistant, 1937. Captain George Edward Thomas Eyston (1897-1979). From Sir Malcolm Campbells Book of Famous Motorists, edited by Sir Malcolm Campbell

A Lady Buying Shoes, c1650, (1903). Artist: Wenceslaus Hollar
A Lady Buying Shoes, c1650, (1903). From Social England, Volume IV, edited by H.D. Traill, D.C.L. and J. S. Mann, M.A. [Cassell and Company, Limited, London, Paris, New York & Melbourne, 1903]

Bakers at Work (MS. Add. 34, 605), 1903. From Social England, Volume IV, edited by H.D. Traill, D.C.L. and J. S. Mann, M.A. [Cassell and Company, Limited, London, Paris, New York & Melbourne, 1903]

Douglas Stott & Co. advertisement, 1910. From The British Printer Vol. XXIII. [Raithby, Lawrence & Co. Ltd, London and Leicester, 1910]

Alexander Graham Bell and assistant use an electrical detector to find a bullet in the torso of ail Artist: W Shinkle
Alexander Graham Bell and assistant use an electrical detector to find a bullet in the torso of ailing US President James Garfield, 1881, c1882, (1938)

Sandringham House, c1900. Artist: T Smith & Sons
Sandringham House, c1900. Sandringham House is a country house on 20, 000 acres of land, near the village of Sandringham in Norfolk, England

The Ascent of Vincent Lunardi, accompanied by Mrs. Sage and Mr. Biggin, 1785, (1910). Vicenzo Lunardi (1759-1806), was a pioneering Italian aeronaut, born in Lucca

The Pilgrimage of Perfection, 1531, (1946). Artist: Wynkyn de Worde
The Pilgrimage of Perfection, 1531, (1946). Wynkyn de Worde, a printer and publisher in London is recognized as the first to popularise the products of the printing press in England

Nimble Assistants at the military post office in London, which dealt with the huge quantity of mail for the various battle fronts, c1916, (1935)

To the Society of Coffers at Blackheath, c19th century. Artists: Lemuel Francis Abbott, Valentine Green
To the Society of Coffers at Blackheath, c19th century. Image of two men playing golf in 1790. After a painting by Lemuel Francis Abbott (1760/61-1802). From Connoisseur Extra No

The division of England into Counties, Hundreds & Tythings by Alfred the Great, 1808. Artist: Ambrose William Warren
The division of England into Counties, Hundreds & Tythings by Alfred the Great, 1808

General Lacret, (1894-1904), 1920s
General Lacret and his assistants. This patriot distinguished himself in the East, in the war of Yara. He came to Havana disguised as a Protestant priest

William III wounded at the Boyne. Artist: C Sheeres
William III wounded at the Boyne. A print from Cassells Illustrated History of England

Adrian Brunel, film director, with Anne Firth, actress
Adrian Brunel (1892-1958), English film director and screenwriter, who began his career during the silent movie era. Seen here at a filming location for The First of The Few

Female contortionist Diana Gaye and car boot
The female contortionist Diana Gaye sitting half in and half out of an open car boot, helped by a young male assistant. (2 of 5) Date: 1971

Tomb of Amen Khopshef. Young servant. Valley of the Queens
Tomb of Amen Khopshef, son of Ramses III. Polychrome reliefs decorating the walls of the burial chamber. Young servant. Twentieth dynasty. New Kingdom. Valley of the Queens. Egypt

Statue of Ka-Aper... Egyptian art
Ka-aper lcalled Sheikh El-Beled. ca. 2465 BC. Work also known as The Headman of the Village, though his real activity was priest assistant. Sycamore wood. Egyptian art. Old Kingdom

View looking from inside the mouth while at the dentist

Knife-Thrower Accident
In a London theatre, a cry from the audience causes the knife-throwers assistant to move her head; fortunately the wound is not fatal Date: 1939

Ball lightning kills Richmann, 1753. Artwork of the German physicist Georg Wilhelm Richmann (left, 1722-1753), of Saint Petersburg, Russia

Child inoculated with smallpox vaccine, 1870
Physician vaccinating a baby against smallpox, circa 1870. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Kuda Bux and one of his experiments
Undated photograph of Kuda Bux and one of his experiments with " eyeless sight" : with head bandaged, he is duplicating shorthand characters drawn on a blackboard by Lucie Kay

In Bandar Abbas, Iran, a 17th century surgeon operates on a patients leg to remove worms. After 17th century engraving by Jan Luyken

A surgeon performs surgery on a mans shoulder in the 18th century. After an 18th century work

In the 17th century, a surgeon performs surgery on a mans foot. After a 17th century work

A patient is tied to a chair while a dentist extracts a tooth. After a 17th century engraving by Aert van Waes

Engraving depicting an astronomer and assistant observing Mercury, Venus and Jupiter, 20th century
Engraving depicting an astronomer and his assistant observing Mercury, Venus and Jupiter

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"Unsung Heroes: The Vital Role of the Assistant Throughout History" From bricklayers in 1827 to the brave engineers aboard the ill-fated Titanic, assistants have played a crucial role in various fields. Just like Sherlock Holmes relied on his trusted companion Dr. John Watson, these unsung heroes have supported and aided their counterparts throughout history. In an illustration by Sidney Paget for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Adventure of Silver Blaze" (1892), we catch a glimpse of Holmes and Watson working together to solve mysteries that baffle others. Their partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration between mastermind and assistant. While some assistants worked alongside skilled craftsmen like those at Meccano, Barley & Son in Bath, others embraced modern technology such as electric chainsaws to enhance productivity. These individuals were instrumental in revolutionizing industries with their innovative approaches. Horrockses, Crewdson & Co Ltd from Preston, Lancashire employed dedicated assistants who contributed to the creation of exquisite fabrics like St. Luke painting the Virgin (1602). Their attention to detail ensured that every stroke was captured flawlessly on canvas or panel. Not all assistants were confined to artistic endeavors; some found themselves immersed in historical events. Take Jeremiah dictating his prophecies to Baruch (650-585 BC) – an example of how even prophets needed assistance when conveying divine messages. In moments of frustration or humor, assistants also made their mark. H. M Bateman's depiction shows a shop assistant losing his temper – reminding us that even those who assist can sometimes be pushed beyond their limits. Assistantship extended beyond professional realms as well; Lady Cynthia Colville is seen with her loyal companions David, Philip, and Jock - highlighting how personal aides provided support and companionship within aristocratic circles. Finally, let us not forget the royal treasure guarded by diligent assistants - gold, silver lapis lazuli obsidian adorning splendid swords of kings.