Misunderstanding Collection (#3)

Convalescent Tommy (taken to a picture gallery, instead of the anticipated picture palace): " I thort she said she was goin to take us to see the picture" ! Date: 1917

The Queens English (litho)
779975 The Queens English (litho) by Leech, John (1817-64); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

The new housemaid. Illustration for Le Rire (colour litho)
2786207 The new housemaid. Illustration for Le Rire (colour litho) by Faivre, Jules Abel (1867-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: The new housemaid)

Act Three, La Boheme (colour litho)
3093916 Act Three, La Boheme (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Act Three, La Boheme. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Call me a hansom / handsome (colour photo)
3092928 Call me a hansom/handsome (colour photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Call me a hansom/handsome)

Don t Worry, Ol Man (colour litho)
1095083 Don t Worry, Ol Man (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Don t Worry, Ol Man)

The higher education of women (engraving)
3640712 The higher education of women (engraving) by Du Maurier, George (1834-96) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The higher education of women)

Americans in Oxford (litho)
3620781 Americans in Oxford (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Americans in Oxford. American ladies (bursting into an undergraduates room)

A little misunderstanding in a boarding-house in Glasgow (engraving)
736084 A little misunderstanding in a boarding-house in Glasgow (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Sack of Rome by the Gauls, 390 BC (engraving)
5207255 Sack of Rome by the Gauls, 390 BC (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sack of Rome by the Gauls, 390 BC)

Defendant in court misunderstanding a question from the judge about challenging the composition of the jury
5999949 Defendant in court misunderstanding a question from the judge about challenging the composition of the jury (colour litho) by English School

The Japanese Exhibition at Tokio (engraving)
1038269 The Japanese Exhibition at Tokio (engraving) by Bigot, Georges Ferdinand (1860-1927) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Japanese Exhibition at Tokio)

Punch cartoon: Temperature - elderly woman visiting a chemists shop to buy a thermometer (engraving)
6035024 Punch cartoon: Temperature - elderly woman visiting a chemists shop to buy a thermometer (engraving) by English School

Illustration for Le Rire (colour litho)
2796318 Illustration for Le Rire (colour litho) by Iribe, Paul (1883-1935); Private Collection; (add.info.: Illustration for Le Rire, 12 December 1903.); © Look and Learn

Punch cartoon: conversation between a young man and a deaf old woman (engraving)
6034896 Punch cartoon: conversation between a young man and a deaf old woman (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Punch cartoon)

Young boy reading the story of Adam and Eve (colour litho)
5999987 Young boy reading the story of Adam and Eve (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Young boy reading the story of Adam and Eve)

Pyramus et Thisbe, from Game of Mythology (Jeu de la Mythologie), 1644

Pyramus and Thisbe, 1514. Creator: Lucas van Leyden
Pyramus and Thisbe, 1514

Comic Postcard - A Windy problem
Comic Postcard - " I m afraid you ll be troubed with wind outside, Lady!" " Well, you be thankful you re not troubled with it inside, thats all!" circa 1930s

Sailors in Westminster Abbey, 1804. Two seamen, reading the inscription on a monument, misinterpret The cloud-capt towers as The Cloud, Capt Towers, to their own mystification

Comic postcard, Deaf old lady misunderstanding Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Man visiting the doctor Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, drunkard in cemetery Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, fishing strategies Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, gondola on the lake with ducks Date: 20th century

Mrs. Tibbs and Mr. Evenson, c1900. Artist: George Cruikshank
Mrs. Tibbs and Mr. Evenson, c1900. An illustration for Sketches by Boz by Charles Dickens. From Hard Times and Sketches by Boz, Volume XI, by Charles Dickens. [Blackwood, Le Bas & Co. London, c1900]

Misunderstanding, caricatures of Guillaume II of Germany, 1915. A print from Le Pays de France, 7th January 1915

Even thus he cannot make her out, 1799. Artist: Francisco Goya
Even thus he cannot make her out, 1799. Plate 7 of Los caprichos. Los Caprichos were published in 1799 at a time of social repression

Cartoon, Siege de la Colonne de Pompee [Pompeys Pillar, a Roman triumphal column], Science in the Pillory, by James Gillray

Billeting soldiers, WW1 humour
Maid to mistress: If yer please, mem, theres a hofficer at the door, and e wants to know if you can FILLET two sojers. A maid rather misunderstands the request of a billeting officer at a house

Belly Cold - Chinese man causes linguistic confusion
Chinese man causes linguistic confusion... " Belly cold today, miss!" " Well - why don t you tuck your shirt in?" Date: circa 1940

World War I 1914-1918. Misunderstanding, cartoon of Wilhelm II, German Emperor, shouting down the telephone at Franz-Joseph the Austrian Emperor for not doing what he has been told

On Closer Inspection - Kaiser and King George
The Kaiser: " Why, I always thought your Lion was showing his teeth; I see, now, its been intended for a genial smile

A misunderstanding by George Ranstead
Two soldiers discuss a new watch while traveling on a bus or tram, but accidentally offend a ruddy lady sitting opposite. Humorous drawing on a postcard by George Ranstead

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"A Misunderstanding: Exploring the Trials and Tribulations of Communication" In this captivating collection of hints, we delve into the world of misunderstandings - those humorous moments when wires get crossed, leading to unexpected outcomes. From a Georgian cartoon depicting a mother and son caught in an escalator trial to comic postcards showcasing various scenarios from the 20th century, misinterpretations take center stage. One such postcard portrays a man with a large parcel desperately searching for a maternity home, unaware that his quest is misplaced. Another depicts an elderly gentleman misunderstanding the intentions of a pretty young woman, resulting in comedic confusion. Meanwhile, on another card, we witness the comical consequences of a telephone conversation about reducing diets gone awry. Amidst these amusing anecdotes lies another scene where two women engage in casual street chat; their words often lost or misconstrued amidst laughter and mirth. In contrast, within the confines of a bedroom setting depicted on yet another postcard from yesteryears, two young women find themselves tangled up in hilarious misunderstandings. A chauffeur's encounter with an eccentric seaside landlady adds further fuel to this fire of miscommunication. And let us not forget the anticipation captured on one particular card as someone approaches while a pretty young woman remains oblivious to their presence. Finally, rounding off this assortment is yet another glimpse into that same bedroom scenario involving two young women - perhaps suggesting that even behind closed doors lies potential for delightful mix-ups. Through these glimpses into past eras and diverse situations portrayed through lithographs and cartoons alike emerges one universal truth: communication can be both puzzling and entertaining. Whether it's due to language barriers or simply our own unique perspectives shaping our understanding differently than intended – they are bound to happen. So next time you find yourself caught up in an unintentional comedy routine caused by crossed wires or mixed signals remember - sometimes laughter truly is born out of the most unexpected of misunderstandings.