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Lucky Collection (#4)

"Lucky: From Gangsters to Good Fortune, a Captivating Journey" Step into the world of luck and discover its diverse manifestations throughout history

Background imageLucky Collection: Explosion of the machine infernale, bomb intended to assassinate Napoleon Bonaparte

Explosion of the machine infernale, bomb intended to assassinate Napoleon Bonaparte, Rue Saint-Nicaise, Paris
5997594 Explosion of the machine infernale, bomb intended to assassinate Napoleon Bonaparte, Rue Saint-Nicaise, Paris, 1800 (litho) by Danish School

Background imageLucky Collection: Necklace, ring, brooch and bracelet (aquamarine, diamonds, sapphires & platinum)

Necklace, ring, brooch and bracelet (aquamarine, diamonds, sapphires & platinum)
1775598 Necklace, ring, brooch and bracelet (aquamarine, diamonds, sapphires & platinum) by European School; Private Collection; (add.info.: Aquamarine and diamond necklace)

Background imageLucky Collection: I m happy amongst the girls! (b / w photo)

I m happy amongst the girls! (b / w photo)
3627177 I m happy amongst the girls! (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: I m happy amongst the girls)

Background imageLucky Collection: Portrait of Bernhard Otto Holtermann, c. 1872-85 (oil on canvas)

Portrait of Bernhard Otto Holtermann, c. 1872-85 (oil on canvas)
6257115 Portrait of Bernhard Otto Holtermann, c.1872-85 (oil on canvas) by Australian School, (19th century); Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales; (add.info.: possibly by J)

Background imageLucky Collection: Vernons Pools, Liverpool, publicity leaflet

Vernons Pools, Liverpool, publicity leaflet

Background imageLucky Collection: Comc postcard, Little boys playing cards

Comc postcard, Little boys playing cards
Comic postcard, Little boys playing cards Date: 20th century

Background imageLucky Collection: Good Luck postcard, Little boy with horseshoe Date: 20th century

Good Luck postcard, Little boy with horseshoe Date: 20th century

Background imageLucky Collection: Comic postcard, Woman with baby in a shop Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Woman with baby in a shop Date: 20th century

Background imageLucky Collection: Good Luck postcard, Black cat with playing cards Date: 20th century

Good Luck postcard, Black cat with playing cards Date: 20th century

Background imageLucky Collection: Good Luck postcard, Black cat drinking beer Date: 20th century

Good Luck postcard, Black cat drinking beer Date: 20th century

Background imageLucky Collection: Comic seaside postcard, All cats are lucky

Comic seaside postcard, All cats are lucky Date: 20th century

Background imageLucky Collection: Woman carrying a pig (colour litho)

Woman carrying a pig (colour litho)
3096349 Woman carrying a pig (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Woman carrying a pig. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Background imageLucky Collection: New Year card with a plane (colour litho)

New Year card with a plane (colour litho)
3096263 New Year card with a plane (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: New Year card with a plane. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Background imageLucky Collection: To Those About To Marry (colour litho)

To Those About To Marry (colour litho)
3094387 To Those About To Marry (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: To Those About To Marry. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Background imageLucky Collection: Couple drinking punch (b / w photo)

Couple drinking punch (b / w photo)
3095553 Couple drinking punch (b/w photo) by French Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Couple drinking punch. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Background imageLucky Collection: Margaret Parker, Farewell Entertainment, Surrey Masonic Hall, Camberwell, SE London

Margaret Parker, Farewell Entertainment, Surrey Masonic Hall, Camberwell, SE London, 18 December 1907, prior to departure to Australia

Background imageLucky Collection: Comic postcard, Dog with horseshoe tied to tail

Comic postcard, Dog with horseshoe tied to tail - not so lucky! Date: 20th century

Background imageLucky Collection: Comic postcard, Little girl and duckling. See the little duckling

Comic postcard, Little girl and duckling. See the little duckling, of course he wears a frown, For he has just discovered that his first pants are " down" ! Les canards sont heureux

Background imageLucky Collection: Comic postcard, Black cat annoyed by kittens Date: circa 1918

Comic postcard, Black cat annoyed by kittens Date: circa 1918

Background imageLucky Collection: WW2 era - Comic Postcard - A Piece of Cake

WW2 era - Comic Postcard - A Piece of Cake
The Caption is A piece of cake. This latter was an RAF expresssion for an easy fight. Through the window can be seen an aeroplane. This was the year of the Battle of Britain

Background imageLucky Collection: B. O. Holtermann (standing) and Louis Beyers (seated), Hawkins Hill Ridge, Hill End

B. O. Holtermann (standing) and Louis Beyers (seated), Hawkins Hill Ridge, Hill End
6257117 B.O. Holtermann (standing) and Louis Beyers (seated), Hawkins Hill Ridge, Hill End, 1870-75 (b/w photo) by Australian Photographer, (19th century); Mitchell Library

Background imageLucky Collection: A Lucky Shot, 1903 (gouache on paper laid down on board)

A Lucky Shot, 1903 (gouache on paper laid down on board)
822969 A Lucky Shot, 1903 (gouache on paper laid down on board) by Farny, Henry Francois (1847-1916); 28.2x44.5 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: A Lucky Shot. Henry Francois Farny (1847-1916)

Background imageLucky Collection: Yellow oleander, Thevetia nerifolia

Yellow oleander, Thevetia nerifolia
Yellow oleander or lucky nut, Thevetia nerifolia (Thevetia nereifolia). Handcoloured lithograph by D. Blair after an illustration by Lena Lowis from her Familiar Indian Flowers with Coloured Plates

Background imageLucky Collection: General Pattons HQ with Sherman tank Nehou Normandy

General Pattons HQ with Sherman tank Nehou Normandy
Patton had his Command Post here from 6 July to 2 August 1944. The memorial area was initially set up by the State of Connecticut

Background imageLucky Collection: Polycrates and the Fisherman, c. 1664 (oil on canvas)

Polycrates and the Fisherman, c. 1664 (oil on canvas)
2970551 Polycrates and the Fisherman, c.1664 (oil on canvas) by Rosa, Salvator (1615-73); 73x98.6 cm; The Art Institute of Chicago, IL, USA; Wentworth Greene Field Memorial Fund; Italian

Background imageLucky Collection: La Decouverte De L Or (engraving)

La Decouverte De L Or (engraving)
2788989 La Decouverte De L Or (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: La Decouverte De L Or. Illustration for Journal Des Voyages, 9 October 1892)

Background imageLucky Collection: The jump... in marriage, a curious custom in the village of Alnmouth, England (colour litho)

The jump... in marriage, a curious custom in the village of Alnmouth, England (colour litho)
2777753 The jump... in marriage, a curious custom in the village of Alnmouth, England (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: The leap into marriage)

Background imageLucky Collection: Good Luck Card (colour photo)

Good Luck Card (colour photo)
3096159 Good Luck Card (colour photo) by French Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Good Luck Card. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Background imageLucky Collection: Good luck charms, number 13 (b / w photo)

Good luck charms, number 13 (b / w photo)
3095956 Good luck charms, number 13 (b/w photo) by French Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Good luck charms, number 13)

Background imageLucky Collection: Good Luck card, Lucky Black Cat in a Boot

Good Luck card, Lucky Black Cat in a Boot

Background imageLucky Collection: Sport in South Africa (chromolitho)

Sport in South Africa (chromolitho)
1062345 Sport in South Africa (chromolitho) by Fripp, Charles Edwin (1854-1906); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sport in South Africa)

Background imageLucky Collection: Good Luck Card - Penzance - Lawson Wood - Black Cat

Good Luck Card - Penzance - Lawson Wood - Black Cat and Red Horseshoe Date: circa 1937

Background imageLucky Collection: Christmas present - Lucky silver devil cigar lighter 1909

Christmas present - Lucky silver devil cigar lighter 1909
One way of giving-up smoking! This terrifying lucky silver devil cigar lighter, available from Mappin & Webb. 1909

Background imageLucky Collection: The Christmas tradition in England is stronger than the crisis (colour litho)

The Christmas tradition in England is stronger than the crisis (colour litho)
2778113 The Christmas tradition in England is stronger than the crisis (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageLucky Collection: An adventure in the mountains (coloured engraving)

An adventure in the mountains (coloured engraving)
3630170 An adventure in the mountains (coloured engraving) by German School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: An adventure in the mountains.); © Look and Learn

Background imageLucky Collection: Amuletic disk (hypocephalus) made for Tasheritenkhonsu, c. 664-525 BC (linen and plaster)

Amuletic disk (hypocephalus) made for Tasheritenkhonsu, c. 664-525 BC (linen and plaster)
3483453 Amuletic disk (hypocephalus) made for Tasheritenkhonsu, c.664-525 BC (linen and plaster) by Egyptian 26th Dynasty (664-525 BC); diam: 20 cm; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

Background imageLucky Collection: British soldier with bandaged head shows the steel helmet that saved his life

British soldier with bandaged head shows the steel helmet that saved his life
701005 British soldier with bandaged head shows the steel helmet that saved his life from shrapnel during the First Battle of the Somme, June - November 1916 (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Background imageLucky Collection: Mr W Hall Walker MP, A lucky owner, 21 June 1906, Vanity Fair cartoon (colour litho)

Mr W Hall Walker MP, A lucky owner, 21 June 1906, Vanity Fair cartoon (colour litho)
611671 Mr W Hall Walker MP, A lucky owner, 21 June 1906, Vanity Fair cartoon (colour litho) by Ward, Leslie Matthew (Spy) (1851-1922); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mr W Hall Walker MP)

Background imageLucky Collection: Embroidered postcard depicting Good Luck Charms, pre 1914 (silk and card)

Embroidered postcard depicting Good Luck Charms, pre 1914 (silk and card)
CHT220451 Embroidered postcard depicting Good Luck Charms, pre 1914 (silk and card) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; eArchives Charmet; French, out of copyright

Background imageLucky Collection: Woodblock print showing Chinese door guardian God (colour woodblock print)

Woodblock print showing Chinese door guardian God (colour woodblock print)
423583 Woodblock print showing Chinese door guardian God (colour woodblock print) by Chinese School; Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageLucky Collection: The ignored fortunes, tickets of a thousand found by chance inside a corset of a dead lady

The ignored fortunes, tickets of a thousand found by chance inside a corset of a dead lady (colour litho)
2815090 The ignored fortunes, tickets of a thousand found by chance inside a corset of a dead lady (colour litho) by Beltrame

Background imageLucky Collection: A couple who took in an abandoned baby discover 16, 000 francs hidden in its swaddling clothes

A couple who took in an abandoned baby discover 16, 000 francs hidden in its swaddling clothes (colour litho)
2782487 A couple who took in an abandoned baby discover 16, 000 francs hidden in its swaddling clothes (colour litho) by French School

Background imageLucky Collection: Benzaiten (Goddess of Music and Good Fortune) Seated on a White Dragon

Benzaiten (Goddess of Music and Good Fortune) Seated on a White Dragon
5863483 Benzaiten (Goddess of Music and Good Fortune) Seated on a White Dragon, 1832 (colour woodblock print) by Keisei, Aoigaoka (fl.1833); 21.6x18.4 cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Background imageLucky Collection: Winning at the races (colour litho)

Winning at the races (colour litho)
3641581 Winning at the races (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Winning at the races. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Background imageLucky Collection: A curious ceremony is the one that is celebrated, every year, in England on St... (colour litho)

A curious ceremony is the one that is celebrated, every year, in England on St... (colour litho)
2778040 A curious ceremony is the one that is celebrated, every year, in England on St.... (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageLucky Collection: On the Parma-Mantua road, at night, two motorcyclists noticed too late that... (colour litho)

On the Parma-Mantua road, at night, two motorcyclists noticed too late that... (colour litho)
2783746 On the Parma-Mantua road, at night, two motorcyclists noticed too late that... (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: On the Parma-Mantua road)

Background imageLucky Collection: An aeroplane on fire (colour litho)

An aeroplane on fire (colour litho)
2779836 An aeroplane on fire (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: An aeroplane on fire)

Background imageLucky Collection: Escape from a horrible death (colour litho)

Escape from a horrible death (colour litho)
2779541 Escape from a horrible death (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Escape from a horrible death)




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"Lucky: From Gangsters to Good Fortune, a Captivating Journey" Step into the world of luck and discover its diverse manifestations throughout history. Meet Charles "Lucky" Luciano, an infamous American gangster whose photograph captured by the New York City Police Department in 1936 still intrigues us today. His story is one of power, crime, and a life filled with risks. But luck has many faces. Richard Arthur, also known as Dicky Nine Lives, defied death time and again during his adventures. Edwyn Vincent's captivating image from 1858 reminds us that fortune can be found in unexpected places. Even advertisements have embraced the concept of luck. Frys Chocolate entices us with their sweet treats promising moments of blissful serendipity. Meanwhile, a postman from the 1930s carries hopes and dreams within his mailbag as he delivers messages that could change lives forever. Animals too are not immune to this universal fascination with good fortune. Bathing a dog becomes an act of love intertwined with superstition—a belief that washing away negative energy brings blessings upon our loyal companions. In the Poodle Parlour of the 1930s, pampered pooches receive special attention while their owners hope for prosperity through these four-legged charms. Travel across continents to Beijing's Ditan Park during Lunar New Year celebrations where Lucky Red Lanterns illuminate streets and homes alike—symbols believed to bring wealth and happiness for those who encounter them. War often tests our faith in luck; however, even amidst chaos on WW1's Somme Battlefield soldiers carried maps revealing both strategic plans and perhaps secret talismans hidden within folds—their own personal run of luck against adversity. Venturing further south to Peru reveals clay bulls adorning rooftops—a traditional sight believed to attract good fortune upon households fortunate enough to display them proudly under clear skies or stormy weather alike.