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Explosions Collection (#9)

"From devastating wars to powerful tests, they have shaped history and left lasting impacts

Background imageExplosions Collection: The victorious advance of the Black Arrows on the Santander front (colour litho)

The victorious advance of the Black Arrows on the Santander front (colour litho)
2783724 The victorious advance of the Black Arrows on the Santander front (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageExplosions Collection: The Blowing up of the Vanguard Rock at Plymouth on Friday, the 5th inst (engraving)

The Blowing up of the Vanguard Rock at Plymouth on Friday, the 5th inst (engraving)
1619443 The Blowing up of the Vanguard Rock at Plymouth on Friday, the 5th inst (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageExplosions Collection: Siege of Vicksburg--Surrender, July 4, 1863, pub. 1888 (colour litho)

Siege of Vicksburg--Surrender, July 4, 1863, pub. 1888 (colour litho)
2909554 Siege of Vicksburg--Surrender, July 4, 1863, pub. 1888 (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: 18th May - 4th July 1863)

Background imageExplosions Collection: The Dardanelles Operations: The landing of the Australians in Gallipoli, April

The Dardanelles Operations: The landing of the Australians in Gallipoli, April
IL388163 The Dardanelles Operations: The landing of the Australians in Gallipoli, April, 1915 (colour litho) by Hodgson, E.S. (fl.1915); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

Background imageExplosions Collection: Cuirasse combattant, 1915 (pen & brown ink, ink wash & graphite on paper)

Cuirasse combattant, 1915 (pen & brown ink, ink wash & graphite on paper)
6368615 Cuirassecombattant, 1915 (pen & brown ink, ink wash & graphite on paper) by Signac, Paul (1863-1935); 28.5 x 44.7 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; French, out of copyright

Background imageExplosions Collection: Blackshirts businesses in Ukraine (colour litho)

Blackshirts businesses in Ukraine (colour litho)
2778604 Blackshirts businesses in Ukraine (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: Blackshirts businesses in Ukraine)

Background imageExplosions Collection: Powerful attacks by our torpedo bombers near Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean (colour litho)

Powerful attacks by our torpedo bombers near Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean (colour litho)
2778578 Powerful attacks by our torpedo bombers near Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageExplosions Collection: The 13-Year-Old Hero (Colour Litho)

The 13-Year-Old Hero (Colour Litho)
2778457 The 13-Year-Old Hero (Colour Litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: The 13-year-old hero)

Background imageExplosions Collection: During the Battle of Ganale Doria (colour litho)

During the Battle of Ganale Doria (colour litho)
2778430 During the Battle of Ganale Doria (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: During the battle of Ganale Doria)

Background imageExplosions Collection: Forty meters high flames and immense clouds of smoke have emanated from a tank... (colour litho)

Forty meters high flames and immense clouds of smoke have emanated from a tank... (colour litho)
2778122 Forty meters high flames and immense clouds of smoke have emanated from a tank... (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageExplosions Collection: Torre del Greco was destroyed by Vesuvius thirteen times and always rebuilt (colour litho)

Torre del Greco was destroyed by Vesuvius thirteen times and always rebuilt (colour litho)
2778012 Torre del Greco was destroyed by Vesuvius thirteen times and always rebuilt (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageExplosions Collection: To shatter the ice that has invaded the Loire, in France, and threaten to collapse... (colour litho)

To shatter the ice that has invaded the Loire, in France, and threaten to collapse... (colour litho)
2783864 To shatter the ice that has invaded the Loire, in France, and threaten to collapse... (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageExplosions Collection: The Reds continue their barbaric tactic of destroying cities rather than abandoning them to

The Reds continue their barbaric tactic of destroying cities rather than abandoning them to the nationals (colour litho)
2783706 The Reds continue their barbaric tactic of destroying cities rather than abandoning them to the nationals (colour litho) by Beltrame

Background imageExplosions Collection: An Arab tribe from the territory of Aden, who had opposed the construction of a road by

An Arab tribe from the territory of Aden, who had opposed the construction of a road by... (colour litho)
2783690 An Arab tribe from the territory of Aden, who had opposed the construction of a road by... (colour litho) by Beltrame

Background imageExplosions Collection: The Soviets Against Religion (Colour Litho)

The Soviets Against Religion (Colour Litho)
2777921 The Soviets Against Religion (Colour Litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Soviets Against Religion)

Background imageExplosions Collection: Storms, accompanied by polar cold, are scourging the Transylvanian region of Romania (colour litho)

Storms, accompanied by polar cold, are scourging the Transylvanian region of Romania (colour litho)
2777677 Storms, accompanied by polar cold, are scourging the Transylvanian region of Romania (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: Storms)

Background imageExplosions Collection: An action with the favor of the fog, ours break into an Austrian entrenchment... (colour litho)

An action with the favor of the fog, ours break into an Austrian entrenchment... (colour litho)
2777536 An action with the favor of the fog, ours break into an Austrian entrenchment... (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageExplosions Collection: The great dangers of naval war, sailors working to remove mines from the Dardanelles

The great dangers of naval war, sailors working to remove mines from the Dardanelles... (colour litho)
2815739 The great dangers of naval war, sailors working to remove mines from the Dardanelles... (colour litho) by Beltrame

Background imageExplosions Collection: French trench in Champagne flooded by the Germans with oil and then set on fire with bombs

French trench in Champagne flooded by the Germans with oil and then set on fire with bombs... (colour litho)
2815734 French trench in Champagne flooded by the Germans with oil and then set on fire with bombs... (colour litho) by Beltrame

Background imageExplosions Collection: Great artillery maneuvers in the Hannibal Fields (Rocca di Papa)

Great artillery maneuvers in the Hannibal Fields (Rocca di Papa), transport of a mortar made by 60 soldiers
2815570 Great artillery maneuvers in the Hannibal Fields (Rocca di Papa), transport of a mortar made by 60 soldiers (colour litho) by Beltrame

Background imageExplosions Collection: A strange drama about Sabotino (colour litho)

A strange drama about Sabotino (colour litho)
2809195 A strange drama about Sabotino (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: A strange play about Sabotino)

Background imageExplosions Collection: The Heroes of the New Offensive (Colour Litho)

The Heroes of the New Offensive (Colour Litho)
2808618 The Heroes of the New Offensive (Colour Litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: The heroes of the new offensive)

Background imageExplosions Collection: The Explosion of Gunpowder Magazines at Erith (engraving)

The Explosion of Gunpowder Magazines at Erith (engraving)
603841 The Explosion of Gunpowder Magazines at Erith (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageExplosions Collection: Capture of Fort Fisher, pub. 1890 (colour litho)

Capture of Fort Fisher, pub. 1890 (colour litho)
2646281 Capture of Fort Fisher, pub. 1890 (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Union troops led by General Alfred Howe Terry (1827-90), 15th January

Background imageExplosions Collection: Battle of Fredericksburg, pub. Kurz & Allen, 1888 (colour litho)

Battle of Fredericksburg, pub. Kurz & Allen, 1888 (colour litho)
2655373 Battle of Fredericksburg, pub. Kurz & Allen, 1888 (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: 13th December 1862; General Ambrose E)

Background imageExplosions Collection: Bombardment of Island Number Ten in the Mississippi River, pub

Bombardment of Island Number Ten in the Mississippi River, pub
AQS331939 Bombardment of Island Number Ten in the Mississippi River, pub. by Currier & Ives, 1862 (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); American Antiquarian Society, Worcester

Background imageExplosions Collection: Com. Farraguts fleet, passing the forts on the Mississippi, April 24th 1862, pub

Com. Farraguts fleet, passing the forts on the Mississippi, April 24th 1862, pub
AQS331921 Com. Farraguts fleet, passing the forts on the Mississippi, April 24th 1862, pub. by Currier & Ives, 1862 (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); American Antiquarian Society

Background imageExplosions Collection: French aircraft drops napalm on Phu Nho Quan during the French War in Vietnam

French aircraft drops napalm on Phu Nho Quan during the French War in Vietnam
PNP316655 French aircraft drops napalm on Phu Nho Quan during the French War in Vietnam, 1954 (b/w photo) by French Photographer

Background imageExplosions Collection: Lieutenant Bayard Wilkeson, Battle of Gettysburg, 1863 (engraving)

Lieutenant Bayard Wilkeson, Battle of Gettysburg, 1863 (engraving)
PNP269488 Lieutenant Bayard Wilkeson, Battle of Gettysburg, 1863 (engraving) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageExplosions Collection: Keep your mouths open! An order always necessary when guns are in hot action

Keep your mouths open! An order always necessary when guns are in hot action
STC311071 Keep your mouths open! An order always necessary when guns are in hot action, from The Illustrated War News, 1916 (litho) by Woodville

Background imageExplosions Collection: Midst Shot and Shell we made the narrow Beach, landing at Gallipoli

Midst Shot and Shell we made the narrow Beach, landing at Gallipoli
STC308705 Midst Shot and Shell we made the narrow Beach, landing at Gallipoli, illustration from Told in the Huts: The YMCA Gift Book, published 1916 (colour litho) by Cuneo

Background imageExplosions Collection: The Battle of the Dogger Bank: the Indomitable

The Battle of the Dogger Bank: the Indomitable
STC292418 The Battle of the Dogger Bank: the Indomitable towing home the damaged battle-cruiser Lion, 24th January 1915, illustration from Hutchinsons Story of the British Nation

Background imageExplosions Collection: From a Front Line Trench, from British Artists at the Front

From a Front Line Trench, from British Artists at the Front
STC255983 From a Front Line Trench, from British Artists at the Front, Continuation of The Western Front, 1918 (colour litho) by Nevinson

Background imageExplosions Collection: Effects of the Steam-Boiler Explosion at Bingley, Yorkshire (engraving)

Effects of the Steam-Boiler Explosion at Bingley, Yorkshire (engraving)
1104081 Effects of the Steam-Boiler Explosion at Bingley, Yorkshire (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Effects of the Steam-Boiler Explosion at Bingley)

Background imageExplosions Collection: Memorial card in sacred memory of the victims of the Great Explosion (engraving)

Memorial card in sacred memory of the victims of the Great Explosion (engraving)
982135 Memorial card in sacred memory of the victims of the Great Explosion (engraving) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageExplosions Collection: Lance-Corporal C C Parrott carrying messages on his motor-bicycle along roads swept by shellfire

Lance-Corporal C C Parrott carrying messages on his motor-bicycle along roads swept by shellfire, World War I (litho)
976443 Lance-Corporal C C Parrott carrying messages on his motor-bicycle along roads swept by shellfire, World War I (litho) by Ripperger, H

Background imageExplosions Collection: Scene at Bolton, after the Late Steam-Boiler Explosion (engraving)

Scene at Bolton, after the Late Steam-Boiler Explosion (engraving)
1101618 Scene at Bolton, after the Late Steam-Boiler Explosion (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Scene at Bolton, after the Late Steam-Boiler Explosion)

Background imageExplosions Collection: Blowing up of the Wreck of the Golden Fleece in the Bristol Channel (engraving)

Blowing up of the Wreck of the Golden Fleece in the Bristol Channel (engraving)
1099314 Blowing up of the Wreck of the Golden Fleece in the Bristol Channel (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageExplosions Collection: The Explosion at Samudas Works, Blackwall (engraving)

The Explosion at Samudas Works, Blackwall (engraving)
1095404 The Explosion at Samudas Works, Blackwall (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Explosion at Samudas Works, Blackwall)

Background imageExplosions Collection: The Schleswig-Holstein War, blowing up of the Screw Steamer 'Von Der Tan'(engraving)

The Schleswig-Holstein War, blowing up of the Screw Steamer "Von Der Tan"(engraving)
1096748 The Schleswig-Holstein War, blowing up of the Screw Steamer " Von Der Tan" (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Schleswig-Holstein War)

Background imageExplosions Collection: The Battle of New Orleans, pub. c. 1865 (colour litho)

The Battle of New Orleans, pub. c. 1865 (colour litho)
2630654 The Battle of New Orleans, pub. c.1865 (colour litho) by Sinclair, Thomas S. (c.1805-81); Private Collection; (add.info.: Battle of New Orleans)

Background imageExplosions Collection: Experiments with Cotton Gunpowder near Faversham (engraving)

Experiments with Cotton Gunpowder near Faversham (engraving)
1611631 Experiments with Cotton Gunpowder near Faversham (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Experiments with Cotton Gunpowder near Faversham)

Background imageExplosions Collection: Explosion of the Thunderers Great Gun at Woolwich (engraving)

Explosion of the Thunderers Great Gun at Woolwich (engraving)
1613870 Explosion of the Thunderers Great Gun at Woolwich (engraving) by Overend, William Heysham (1851-98) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Explosion of the Thunderers Great Gun at Woolwich)

Background imageExplosions Collection: Effects of the Explosion at the Admiralty (engraving)

Effects of the Explosion at the Admiralty (engraving)
1591078 Effects of the Explosion at the Admiralty (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Effects of the Explosion at the Admiralty)

Background imageExplosions Collection: The Civil War in France, a Shell at Suresnes (engraving)

The Civil War in France, a Shell at Suresnes (engraving)
1104985 The Civil War in France, a Shell at Suresnes (engraving) by Ridley, Matthew White (1837-88) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Civil War in France, a Shell at Suresnes)

Background imageExplosions Collection: Bombardment of Strasbourg, Franco-Prussian War, 1870 (colour litho)

Bombardment of Strasbourg, Franco-Prussian War, 1870 (colour litho)
969279 Bombardment of Strasbourg, Franco-Prussian War, 1870 (colour litho) by German School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bombardment of Strasbourg, Franco-Prussian War)




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"From devastating wars to powerful tests, they have shaped history and left lasting impacts. In this captivating collection of images, we witness the chaos and destruction caused by explosions throughout different eras. A World War I cartoon takes us back in time, showcasing the explosive nature of warfare during that period. Meanwhile, a better hole is created through an explosion, demonstrating how controlled blasts can be used for construction purposes. The haunting aftermath of a 1957 nuclear test reminds us of the long-lasting effects of such detonations – fall-out that lingers for years to come. On a more heroic note, a fireboat fearlessly battles flames at Colonial Wharf in East London, highlighting the bravery required to combat destructive forces. The sheer power unleashed by an atomic bomb explosion is captured in another striking image. It serves as a chilling reminder of humanity's ability to create weapons capable of immense devastation. Moving on from war zones, Italians in Somalia are seen dealing with an explosion's aftermath – evidence that explosions transcend borders and affect lives worldwide. In WWI on the Western Front at Longueval, France in 1916, Highlanders face both enemy fire and exploding shells as they fight valiantly for their cause. The Monte Bello atomic test showcases yet another chapter in mankind's exploration into harnessing explosive energy for various purposes. A Royal Air Force display poster from Hendon captures the awe-inspiring spectacle of aircraft breaking through sound barriers with thunderous booms. However, not all they can intentional or celebratory; scenes depicting fatal incidents like the Birmingham explosion remind us of their tragic consequences. Even under cover darkness Handley Page Hampden Bombers take flight - silent but deadly - reminding us that danger can strike unexpectedly even when unseen. Lastly, Home Guard practice sessions demonstrate how they were utilized as part of training exercises during times when nations stood united against common threats. "