Gaiety Collection (#4)

Cover of the book ABC of toys''. Maison Alfred Mame et Fils, Printers-Publishers, Tours, 1931 (engraving)
DUV4208300 Cover of the book ABC of toys''. Maison Alfred Mame et Fils, Printers-Publishers, Tours, 1931 (engraving) by Neziere

Letter T: Transvestissement. Engraving in " Alphabet des grotesques". Series of 25
DUV4207199 Letter T: Transvestissement. Engraving in " Alphabet des grotesques". Series of 25; Private Collection; (add.info.: Letter T: Transvestissement)

Dentist laughing as he uses tongs to hold a hot coal to a man's face to make him jerk back
FLO4718344 Dentist laughing as he uses tongs to hold a hot coal to a man's face to make him jerk back and extract a tooth with string

Three friends enjoying true contentment from a single bottle of wine. Copperplate engraving by Thomas Sanders after a
FLO4718168 Three friends enjoying true contentment from a single bottle of wine. Copperplate engraving by Thomas Sanders after a satirical illustration by Timothy Bobbin (John Collier) (1708-1786)

Glossy copper pots, hanging on the wall of a kitchen. The smiling face of the happy cook is reflected in one of them
PCT4295615 Glossy copper pots, hanging on the wall of a kitchen. The smiling face of the happy cook is reflected in one of them - happiness

The Abbey of Theleme and its famous motto: Fay what you want, 1885
PCT4281730 The Abbey of Theleme and its famous motto: Fay what you want, 1885; (add.info.: The Abbey of Theleme and its famous motto)

Happy Days, engraved by H. Cook after J. Brown
3501410 Happy Days, engraved by H. Cook after J. Brown; (add.info.: Happy Days, engraved by H. Cook after J. Brown)

Tom and Maggie Tulliver fishing in childhood It was one of their happy mornings
536949 Tom and Maggie Tulliver fishing in childhood It was one of their happy mornings. Illustration by Walter James Allen (active 1859-1891)

Young Girl and Boy Tobogganing, Victorian Christmas and New Year card
BAL10963 Young Girl and Boy Tobogganing, Victorian Christmas and New Year card; Private Collection

Spring (colour litho)
8632366 Spring (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Spring. Illustration for Furious Fun (Blandford Publications Ltd, London, 1949)

Page from The Bible Emblem Anniversary Book (colour litho)
8630756 Page from The Bible Emblem Anniversary Book (colour litho) by Foster, William (1852-1924); Private Collection; (add.info)

Page from The Bible Emblem Anniversary Book (colour litho)
8630759 Page from The Bible Emblem Anniversary Book (colour litho) by Foster, William (1852-1924); Private Collection; (add.info)

After the FA Cup Final, London (b/w photo)
8676173 After the FA Cup Final, London (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: After the FA Cup Final)

Joy of the vintage (b/w photo)
8675665 Joy of the vintage (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Joy of the vintage, At close of the day the vintagers wend homewards)

School's out - Australian schoolboys celebrate (b/w photo)
8634521 School's out - Australian schoolboys celebrate (b/w photo) by Australian Photographer (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: School's out - Australian schoolboys celebrate)

Advertising card for Gendron velocipedes and tricycles (chromolitho)
8677753 Advertising card for Gendron velocipedes and tricycles (chromolitho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Merry Jester (chromolitho)
8663994 The Merry Jester (chromolitho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Merry Jester)

Little boy wearing a straw hat (coloured photo)
8655843 Little boy wearing a straw hat (coloured photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Little boy wearing a straw hat)

Laughter (coloured engraving)
8655704 Laughter (coloured engraving) by French School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Laughter. Illustration for La Nature et L'Homme)

Illustration for Tom Brown's School-Days (litho)
8642927 Illustration for Tom Brown's School-Days (litho) by Sullivan, Edmund Joseph (1869-1933) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Page from Proverbs with Pictures by Charles H Bennett, 1859 (engraving)
8638754 Page from Proverbs with Pictures by Charles H Bennett, 1859 (engraving) by Bennett, Charles Henry (1828-67) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Don't worry, smile! (colour litho)
8656496 Don't worry, smile! (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: "Don't worry, smile)

There are some fine jolly soles here (colour litho)
8656606 There are some fine jolly soles here (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: There are some fine jolly soles here. Faces on the sole of a foot)

Never trouble Trouble (b/w photo)
8656386 Never trouble Trouble (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: "Never trouble Trouble, Till Trouble troubles you, Keep on smiling)

"May Be's" (colour litho)
8650480 "May Be's" (colour litho) by Beddington, Alice Maud (1862-1939); Private Collection; (add.info.: "May Be's." Children of the Village)

Boys and Girls (colour litho)
8650485 Boys and Girls (colour litho) by Beddington, Alice Maud (1862-1939); Private Collection; (add.info.: Boys and Girls)

Humorous cat postcard (colour litho)
8643375 Humorous cat postcard (colour litho) by Wain, Louis (1860-1939); Private Collection; (add.info.: Humorous cat postcard. Early 20th century.); Look and Learn / Valerie Jackson Harris Collection

A popular party in the 16th century (engraving)
5944427 A popular party in the 16th century (engraving); Private Collection; (add.info.: Engraving A popular party in the 16th century Private collection.); Photo © Photo Josse

Bed collapsing under a happy couple (colour litho)
8656543 Bed collapsing under a happy couple (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bed collapsing under a happy couple)

Scene from The Tempest, (watercolour on paper laid on board)
657756 Scene from The Tempest, (watercolour on paper laid on board) by Dulac, Edmund (1882-1953); Private Collection; (add.info.: Scene from The Tempest. Edmond Dulac (1882-1953)

Couple ho smiles standing behind him saying: "Love is only perfume, a song, that smile" (postcard)
FGL5493335 Couple ho smiles standing behind him saying: "Love is only perfume, a song, that smile" (postcard) by Unknown photographer

The return of the sailor, reuniting with his family on the threshold of his cottage
MMM5460193 The return of the sailor, reuniting with his family on the threshold of his cottage. Oil on canvas, 18th century, by Thomas Stothard (1755-1834)

A recreation ground with a slide in a London setting
5310193 A recreation ground with a slide in a London setting; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a recreation ground with a slide in a London setting, as a group of young girls play on a swing)

A young couple. Engraving 1866
JAB4121485 A young couple. Engraving 1866; (add.info.: A young couple. Engraving 1866); Photo ©Jaime Abecasis

Illustration by Luigi Morgari for the "Boheme" by Giacomo Puccini - Civica Raccolta Bertarelli, Milan
XEE5027259 Illustration by Luigi Morgari for the "Boheme" by Giacomo Puccini - Civica Raccolta Bertarelli, Milan; (add.info)

His Majesty Kalakaua, King of the Sandwich Islands, 1870s
NWI4951519 His Majesty Kalakaua, King of the Sandwich Islands, 1870s.; (add.info.: His Majesty Kalakaua, King of the Sandwich Islands, 1870s.); Photo © North Wind Pictures

La Caricature (1830) politique, Satirique en N & B, 1830_12_23: Archeveche, 29 July - Anticlericalism
ICA4930068 La Caricature (1830) politique, Satirique en N & B, 1830_12_23: Archeveche, 29 July - Anticlericalism, Religion - Cures, Eveques

The land of Cocagne, 19th century (Epinal print)
ELD4836636 The land of Cocagne, 19th century (Epinal print); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mythical land of plenty, an imaginary place of extreme luxury and ease where physical comforts)

A traditionnal festival in the streets of a japanese city Engraving from Charles Delon, 1905 Private collection
ELD4842148 A traditionnal festival in the streets of a japanese city Engraving from Charles Delon, 1905 Private collection; (add.info)

France, Brittany: a family dances feet in the water, circa 1900
LUX4807227 France, Brittany: a family dances feet in the water, circa 1900; (add.info.: France, Brittany: a family dances feet in the water, circa 1900); Photo © Lux-in-Fine

Women running along the beach at Tower Bridge, 1947 (photo)
7340361 Women running along the beach at Tower Bridge, 1947 (photo); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Creator: PA Reuter Photos Ltd Six women running along the beach at Tower Bridge)

Families of Swedish immigrants crossing Boston, Massachusetts, en route to the Midwest, circa 1850
NWI4891061 Families of Swedish immigrants crossing Boston, Massachusetts, en route to the Midwest, circa 1850. Colour engraving

Celebration of the centenary of the American National Feast on July 4, in front of the Independence Hall
NWI4880316 Celebration of the centenary of the American National Feast on July 4, in front of the Independence Hall (or Pennsylvania State House) in Philadelphia, 1876

Description of the land of Cocagne, 19th century (Epinal print)
ELD4836082 Description of the land of Cocagne, 19th century (Epinal print); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mythical land of plenty)

Description of the land of Cocagne, 19th century (Epinal print)
ELD4836080 Description of the land of Cocagne, 19th century (Epinal print); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mythical land of plenty)

French Revolution (1789-1799): the celebration of victory by the people at the Palais Royal in Paris
NWI4835655 French Revolution (1789-1799): the celebration of victory by the people at the Palais Royal in Paris. Coloured water

Franco-Canadian settlers having fun and dancing in Quebec, Canada. 19th century engraving
NWI4867260 Franco-Canadian settlers having fun and dancing in Quebec, Canada. 19th century engraving.; (add.info.: Franco-Canadian settlers having fun and dancing in Quebec, Canada)

Cover of " The Laughter", Satirical in Colors, 1908_10_24: The famous worms - Literature, Love, Fashion
ICA4862639 Cover of " The Laughter", Satirical in Colors, 1908_10_24: The famous worms - Literature, Love, Fashion, Men's Fashion

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"Gaiety: A Timeless Celebration of Joy and Entertainment" Step into the world of gaiety, where laughter echoes through the ages and merriment knows no bounds. From the uproarious comedy "Hay Fever" by Noel Coward to the vibrant performances at Gaiety Theatre in Hastings, this concept has always been synonymous with pure delight. Intriguingly, even historical figures like the 5th Marquess of Anglesey found solace in gaiety, as he transformed into Pekoe for a momentary escape from reality. The enchantment continued with an advert for Gaiety Girl in 1896, captivating audiences with its allure. The programme cover for "The Beauty Spot" in 1917 exemplifies how gaiety transcends time; it remains eternally cherished. It was during such jubilant times that Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) announced her betrothal to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten at Buckingham Palace in London - a black and white photograph capturing their radiant happiness. Glimpses into history reveal more facets of gaiety's charm - whether it be through a lively production like "Gaiety Girl" in 1904 or an intriguing colored photo depicting a man relishing a large watermelon. These moments encapsulate joyous memories that have stood the test of time. From music halls like The Gaiety Music Hall Chatham to iconic venues like Cafe De Paris, gaiety thrived as people sought respite from everyday life. Caricatures immortalize beloved performers such as Nellie Farren and Edward Ledger who brought endless laughter to their audiences. Even musical compositions embraced this spirit; Pas de Quatre's Faust Up To Date graced music covers while reflecting society's fascination with dance crazes like tango - epitomized by films such as "The Girl on the Film" in 1913.