Childrens Work Collection

Shoemakers workshops, some of the employees are children. Italy 1897 Photography
FGL5496256 Shoemakers workshops, some of the employees are children. Italy 1897 Photography; Fototeca Gilardi

Portrait of a group of workers from a carpentry workshop, among children and minors
FGL5496267 Portrait of a group of workers from a carpentry workshop, among children and minors. Italy, late 19th century Photography; Fototeca Gilardi

Lombe's silk mill, Derby, 1843
3480223 Lombe's silk mill, Derby, 1843; (add.info.: Lombe's silk mill, Derby: Throwing (twisting) silk by hand. While the man turned the wheel

Child labour in America 1900's (b/w photo)
2597630 Child labour in America 1900's (b/w photo); (add.info.: Night scene in 1912. Children and women making violets while living in a dreary tenement. The six year old helps some)

Chimney sweep and boy
3478935 Chimney sweep and boy; (add.info.: Chimney sweep and boy, London, 17th century, circa 1688.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Illustration depicting a young boy making chests, 1880 (illustration)
5616505 Illustration depicting a young boy making chests, 1880 (illustration); Universal History Archive/UIG

the Neapolitan shoe shiners at work in Marseille, 1909 (postcard)
PCT4716129 the Neapolitan shoe shiners at work in Marseille, 1909 (postcard); (add.info.: Italian immigration to France: the Neapolitan shoe shiners at work in Marseille at the beginning of the 20th)

A boot boy giving a flower to one of his regular customers, 1850 (engraving)
3478709 A boot boy giving a flower to one of his regular customers, 1850 (engraving); Universal History Archive/UIG

Capital letters Plate in "Picturesque alphabet or New informative and picturesque alphabet", 1892 (engraving)
DUV4220237 Capital letters Plate in "Picturesque alphabet or New informative and picturesque alphabet", 1892 (engraving); 27x17.5 cm; (add.info)

Young boy in a workshop helping a worker to make Rope Tobacco, 1841
3478708 Young boy in a workshop helping a worker to make Rope Tobacco, 1841; (add.info.: Young boy in a workshop helping a worker to make Rope Tobacco, 1841.); Universal History Archive/UIG

The Pastry Seller from Les Cris de Paris 1823-25 (litho)
XIR189530 The Pastry Seller from Les Cris de Paris 1823-25 (litho) by Vernet, Carle (1758-1836); Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet, Paris, France; (add.info.: By Carle Vernet)

Women and children work in dangerous conditions, 1851
3478934 Women and children work in dangerous conditions, 1851 by Unknown Artist, (19th century); (add.info.: Women and children work in dangerous conditions in the doubling room)

Spindle boys in Georgia cotton mill c. 1909 (coloured photo)
7286991 Spindle boys in Georgia cotton mill c. 1909 (coloured photo) by Hine, Lewis Wickes (1874-1940); Private Collection; (add.info)

Lewis_Hine, Cigarmakers, Tampa, Florida 1909 (coloured photo)
7286995 Lewis_Hine, Cigarmakers, Tampa, Florida 1909 (coloured photo) by Hine, Lewis Wickes (1874-1940); Private Collection; (add.info)

Young coal miner at Turkey Knob Mine, West Virginia. 1908 (coloured photo)
7286994 Young coal miner at Turkey Knob Mine, West Virginia. 1908 (coloured photo) by Hine, Lewis Wickes (1874-1940); Private Collection; (add.info)

Newsboys after midnight, 1912 (photo)
7286035 Newsboys after midnight, 1912 (photo) by Hine, Lewis Wickes (1874-1940); Private Collection; Prismatic Pictures

Young coal miner at Turkey Knob Mine, West Virginia. 1908 (photo)
7286052 Young coal miner at Turkey Knob Mine, West Virginia. 1908 (photo) by Hine, Lewis Wickes (1874-1940); Private Collection; (add.info)

Spindle boys in Georgia cotton mill c. 1909 (photo)
7286046 Spindle boys in Georgia cotton mill c. 1909 (photo) by Hine, Lewis Wickes (1874-1940); Private Collection; Prismatic Pictures

Mid-Summer, East Hampton, New York, 1893 (oil on canvas)
6431744 Mid-Summer, East Hampton, New York, 1893 (oil on canvas) by Harper, John William (1851-1910); 79.2x111.8 cm; Private Collection

The Seamstress, 1898 (oil on canvas)
7074515 The Seamstress, 1898 (oil on canvas) by Bouguereau, William-Adolphe (1825-1905); 115.5x71 cm; Private Collection

"A Time for Cricket, "But not when "On the Queens Business"(engraving)
7188290 " A Time for Cricket, " But not when " On the Queens Business" (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: " A Time for Cricket)

"Sweep your doorstep, mum?"(colour litho)
7181699 " Sweep your doorstep, mum?" (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: " Sweep your doorstep, mum)

"Sweet Lavender"(colour litho)
7181915 " Sweet Lavender" (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: " Sweet Lavender." Illustration for Bubbles edited by Dr Barnardo (1903)

The Flower Seller (engraving)
7188311 The Flower Seller (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Flower Seller. Illustration for Home Words (1892)

The Bellman, a London Wharf and Coal-ship and coal barge
6340336 The Bellman, a London Wharf and Coal-ship and coal barge by Taylor, Isaac (1730-1807); (add.info.: The Bellman, a London Wharf and Coal-ship and coal barge)

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"Unveiling the Hidden Reality: Children's Work Through History" In the shadows of progress, women and children toiled in perilous conditions as captured by photographs from 1851 to 1912. These haunting images reveal a grim reality that was once an everyday occurrence. The year is 1851, where women and children find themselves trapped in dangerous work environments. Their innocence stolen, they become cogs in a relentless machine. The Spindle boys in Georgia cotton mill of 1909 showcase their youth fading away amidst the harsh realities of industrialization. Even young newsboys were not spared from this plight. In Saint Louis, Missouri, USA, two separate images depict these street-smart youngsters smoking cigarettes while trying to eke out a living, and are mere children forced into adulthood far too soon. Lewis Hine's colored photograph captures cigar makers laboring tirelessly in Tampa, Florida during 1909. Their small hands skillfully crafting cigars for others' enjoyment while sacrificing their own childhood dreams. Coal mines became another battleground for child laborers like the young coal miner at Turkey Knob Mine in West Virginia during 1908. Covered head-to-toe with soot and sweat, these innocent souls faced unimaginable dangers beneath the earth's surface. As midnight falls upon Saint Louis streets in 1912, newsboys continue their tireless pursuit of survival even when most are asleep. Their dedication knows no bounds as they navigate through darkness to sell newspapers before dawn breaks anew. These photographs serve as reminders that behind every image lies untold stories of resilience and sacrifice endured by countless children throughout history. The Mid-Summer painting from East Hampton transports us back to simpler times when carefree laughter echoed through fields untouched by industry's grip. Yet amidst this darkness shines a glimmer of hope - "The Seamstress, " depicted on canvas in 1898 embodies determination and strength despite her circumstances. She represents all those who fought against the odds, refusing to let their dreams unravel.