December Collection (#92)

James Graham, Quack Doc
James Graham, famous Scottish quack doctor, delivers a lecture to an audience. In December 1783, Graham claimed that he knew the secret to living to the age of 150

Suspension Bridge
Bristol: Clifton Suspension Bridge, opened 8 December 1864

Costume December 1871
Lastest Paris fashion of 1871

Prussians Take Stettin
Friedrich Wilhelm, the Great Elector of Brandenburg, takes Stettin from the Swedes

First German Train
NUREMBERG - FURTH RAILWAY Spectators wave as the first railway train in Germany makes its first journey

Germany Embraces Turkey
Germany hastens to embrace its new ally, Turkey

Wspu Bazaar
A Womens Social & Political Union bazaar

Capricorn (Rossum)
CAPRICORN the Goat 21 December - 19 January

Sagittarius (Rossum)
SAGITTARIUS the Archer 22 November - 20 December

B. C (Before Crinoline)
At a time prior to 1857 when the cage crinoline became available (patented December 1856) Adolphus and his beloved Kitty could walk intimately side by side

Flora Drummond / Tank
Flora Drummond speaking from a tank in Liverpool

Evening Pyjamas 1931
Evening pyjamas and satin coat designed by Jeanne Lanvin

Costume / Bernard Et Cie
A two piece ensemble and astrakan trimmed coat by Bernard et Cie

Evening Dress / Patou
Design by August Abernard: flaring gored floral print skirt, draped V neckline & plunging V back, worn with a long light weight scarf that drapes seductively

Wright 1903 Cig Card
Orville and Wilbur Wright achieve the first powered flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

South Africa / Blood River
The Battle of Blood River. The charge of the Boers to avenge Dingaans Daag

Luther Burns Bull 1520
He burns the Papal bull in front of the East gate of Wittemberg

Napoleon I / Remains / 1840
Sailors from the ship Belle- Poule carry the remains of Napoleon I onto the carriage which is to take him through Paris to Les Invalides

Mania / Hudson Levee
George Hudson (1800-1871), a financier known as King Hudson for the dominant part he plays in the railway mania, is depicted holding a royal levee

Napoleon Is Sacre
NAPOLEON I places the Imperial Crown on his own head

French Fete Des Fous
La Fete des fous et des Diacres - the FEAST OF FOOLS, on December 26-28, when the mass is burlesqued and all indulge in obscene dancing and singing in the churches

Brighton Mail in Snow
The Brighton Mail makes its way through a snowstorm on a seasonal Christmas Day

Sailors Off on Leave
The smiling boys of the H.M. Training ship Arethusa off on leave for their Christmas holidays with their kit-bags slung over their shoulders

Charles & Robert
Celebrated flight from Tuileries Garden by J.A.C. Charles, and Louis- Nicolas Robert

New York Fire 1835
New York firefighters attempt to tackle the blaze on Wall Street as many buildings burn (including the Fulton Fire Insurance Co.); the fire lasted from 16 to 17 December

Orinoco Collides
In the roadstead of Cherbourg, the transatlantic passenger liner Orinoco collides with Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse with massive damage to both vessels

Tay Bridge Photo 4
The destroyed central section of the Tay railway bridge from which a passenger train crashed into the river at night drowning between 75 and 90 passengers

GUARDIAN WRECKED
The frigate Guardian is wrecked when she strikes an Island of Ice : her crew take to the boats

French at Doel 1832
An episode in the creation of Belgium - the French division Sebastiani defend the dykes of Doel against the Dutch

Cavalry Action 1914
A group of British mounted artillerymen come across a German machine-gun outfit and force them to bolt, thinking this was a full-scale cavalry attack !

St Bernards in Tibet
The monks of Saint Bernard, together with their dogs, visit Tibet

Victoria / Order of Garter
The investiture of Victor Emmanuel II (King of Sardinia and later of Italy) with the Order of the Garter at Windsor Castle, on 1 December 1855

Transport / Flight / Balloon
Ballooning pioneers Charles and Robert land at Nesles, France

Becket Assassinated / 1170
Thomas a Becket, archbishop of Canterbury, is assassinated in the cathedral by four knights who believed they were carrying out Henry IIs wishes

Holly & Mistletoe
Ilex Aquifolium (Holly) and Viscum Album (Mistletoe)

Radiation Treatment 1968
A patient seen through a circular zinc bromide safety window, containing a theratron 80 unit used for radiation treatment, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, England

Knitted Elephant
This amusing elephant with a face and limbs of knitted wool would make a good Christmas present for a small child!

Berlin Freikorps 1918
The Freikorps occupy the Royal Palace in Berlin

During Siege of Paris
French troops in the besieged city erect their barracks on the boulevards where they are the object of popular interest from women and dogs alike

Parhelion of 1708
Singular phenomenon seen at Moscow - a triple sun, with an over-arching rainbow

Chamber of Deputies Bomb
An anarchist bomb explodes in the Chamber of Deputies: Monsieur Dupuy shows coolness asking for silence and stating that the sitting would continue

Boston Tea Party
Boston citizens, dressed as Indians, board English ships and throw tea chests into the harbour in protest against taxation

Disraeli / Dressing
BENJAMIN DISRAELI Dressing for an Oxford Bal Masque. A response to Disraelis Oxford Speech

Churchill at Sidney Street
WINSTON CHURCHILL, then Home Secretary, is seen with a with a posse of policemen during the Siege of Sidney Street in Stepney, London

Allies Invade France
After a series of victories, the Allies drive Napoleon from Germany and in their turn cross the Rhine to invade France in a flotilla of barges

Capricorn / Furness
The Modern Zodiac: An Artists Almanac of English Society. Scenes of the month include snowballing, waits singing carols, pantomime characters, relations, gifts & parties

Good Conduct Certificate
Acknowledgment of P Dohmens good behaviour for December 1920 by St Servais College, Liege. Issued monthly such certificates are designed to be given to the parents

Criminal, Henry Cook
HENRY COOK: Debtor, petty thief, giver of threats of violence, foot-pad, highwayman, horse thief, shoemaker, hanged at Tyburn 6 December 1741

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"December: A Kaleidoscope of Moments and Memories" As the year draws to a close, December unveils its vibrant colors like a mesmerizing rainbow illustration by Arthur Ferrier. It paints the world with hues of hope and reflection, reminding us of the beauty that exists even in the darkest times. In this month of festivities, our hearts find solace within "A House Full" by Cecil Aldin. Warmth fills every corner as loved ones gather, creating cherished memories that will forever be etched in our souls. Like an Earthrise photograph turned artwork, December brings moments of awe-inspiring unity. We remember the Christmas Truce of 1914 during WW1 when enemies laid down their weapons to celebrate peace together. It serves as a reminder that humanity's capacity for compassion can transcend even the harshest conflicts. Yet amidst such harmony, there are reminders of struggle and sacrifice. The sight of a German Panzer tank from 1944 or British guns dashing through French towns reminds us of those who fought bravely for freedom and justice. It also marks new beginnings and aspirations for higher education. As students embark on their academic journeys, they carry dreams that will shape their futures like Don Bradman going out to bat for the last time in Melbourne Cricket Ground – determination radiating from his every step. Just as Apollo 17 astronauts ventured into space with curiosity and courage, we too embrace December's spirit of exploration. It encourages us to reach beyond our limits and discover new frontiers within ourselves. However, history is not without its scars; it bears witness to human suffering like "The Bombardment of Hartlepools" captured by James Clark. These somber events remind us never to forget past atrocities so we may strive towards a future free from violence and injustice. On HMS Albion (R07), once used as a Commando Carrier, bravery permeates every deck – a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who protect and serve.