Observers Collection (#2)

Sultan Abdul Hamid II of Turkey - Parliament
Opening of the Turkish Parliament - the Sultan arrives in his box and delivers the Royal Speech(back centre). There is a balcony on the upper right full of the diplomatic Corp

A sance with Willi Schneider
Undated flashlight photograph taken during a sance with Willi Schneider in his home town of Braunau, Austria, showing a white cloth " phantom" pinned to a curtain by means of a safety pin

Solar Eclipse 1919
The eclipse of the sun - a photograph taken by British observers in Brazil, showing the prominence, like an explosion, which passed around the sun

Edwardian spectators at an event
An all-male crowd of smartly dressed spectators observe proceedings from behind a picket fence, perhaps at a sporting event in the north east of England. Date: c.1910s

Edwardian golfer and observers. Date: early 1900s

Edwardian golfer in awkward pose
Edwardian golfer in an awkward pose, holding her golf club in a rather unorthodox way. Date: early 1900s

Edwardian golfer about to tee off. Date: early 1900s

Edwardian golfer taking a swipe at the ball -- his caddy cowers, afraid of being hit by the club. Date: early 1900s

A Kite Balloon car over the Western Front, WW1
Two observers in the basket of a kite balloon pictured spotting activity on the ground below. The Kite Balloon section (often known as the balloonatics)

The Old Order Changeth
" Flight-Sergeant, in future when we go up, just give the order Let Go, instead of Let go the guys, " Date: 1918

Kite Balloon Observers under fire
Victors by telephone: Our kite-balloon observers under fire. Two kite balloon observers on the Western Front relay information by telephone to the British batteries below about the position of enemy

Duel with three observers in costume Date: 1926

WW2 birthday card, dog and cats
WW2 pop-up birthday card, may Good Luck spot you! A spotted dog and two black cats watch the sky with binoculars, as fire watchers and aircraft spotters. Date: circa 1942

From the Balloon Observers Training Manual, WW1 cartoon
" All apparently natural features should be considered in relation to the general nature of the landscape, as the appearance of a hedge or even a solitary tree may be the cause of the discovery

RAF personnel marking German positions, WW1
RAF pilots and observers marking German positions in preparation for a raid, on the Western Front in France during World War One. Date: circa 1918

Allegory of April: a performance at the Borso d Este square, detail of horses
XAL884882 Allegory of April: a performance at the Borso d Este square, detail of horses and donkeys running, 1469-70, (fresco) by Cossa, Francesco del (1435/6-c.1477); Palazzo Schifanoia, Ferrara

Corso Sant Anastasia, Verona Corso Sant Anastasia, Verona, Italy A highly finished view of the Palace of Count Maffei at Verona, Richard Parkes Bonington, 1802-1828, British

Klyuchevskaya Sopka Volcano in full eruption. The highest volcano in Kamchatka, Russia 1920

Polo at The Hurlingham Club, London - Queens Bays versus 10th Hussars Lady Wodehouse and Hon mrs Gilbert Greenall 16 June 1928

London Air Raid. 1914-1918

Spectators climb on to the roof of their car to get a good view of the R A Woolwich point to point. 1936

In 1822 the French appointed commission to finding the speed of sound in air. Two hills near Paris chosen for the experiment at Villejuif and Montlhery. On each hill a gun was discharged

Infrared image of Comet Siding Spring (C / 2007 Q3) discovered in 2007 by observers in Australia
Infrared image of Comet Siding Spring (C/2007 Q3) discovered in 2007 by observers in Australia. Credit NASA. Science Astronomy

Hookes telescopes, 17th century
Hookes telescopes. 17th-century engraving with labelled diagrams showing telescope equipment and mechanisms described by English scientist Robert Hooke (1635-1703)

Great comet of 1577, historical artwork C013 / 8955
Great comet of 1577. Historical artwork depicting a comet passing over a town in 1577. The comet of 1577 so bright that it was visible during daylight

Brocken spectre seen from hilltop, appears when sun shines from behind person who is looking down from ridge or peak into mist or fog, Jeffrey Hill, Longridge, Lancashire, England, january

Early sighting of Brocken spectres, 1797
Early sighting of Brocken spectres. Historical artwork of a sighting of Brocken spectres, based on the account of a traveller called Hane

Moon rocket launch, 1950s artwork
Moon rocket launch. Artwork published in Germany in the 1950s, showing the launch of a rocket on a journey to the Moon, a feat that would be achieved in 1969

Gravitational lens. Artwork showing how gravitational lenses can enable astronomers on Earth (upper right) to see magnified views (across bottom) of distant astronomical objects

Observer Corps Centre, World War II

Aircraft Observer Post, WWII
Aircraft Observer Post, during World War II. Two observers with direction and height finders ready to broadcast directions to head observer command

Artillery observers 1917
Artillery observers sighting on the Hindenburg Line for Australian battery in Bullecourt at the Battle of Arras on the Western Front in France during World War I in April 1917

Opening of Parliament - waiting for the Sultan
Opening of the Turkish Parliament - waiting for the Sultan to arrive in his box (back centre). There is a balcony on the upper right full of the diplomatic Corp, there as observers to the proceedings

Ww1 / 1915 / Hindenburg Russ
Russian observers tremble at the approach of Hindenburg

Research vessel, Silurian, under sail with observers on the deck and up the mast. Hebrides, Scotland
Tom Walmsley / SplashdownDirect

Sea watching (seals and birds). Ramsey Island, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK (RR)
Janet Baxter / SplashdownDirect

Dugong, (Dugongidae). A rare encounter for a diver with a Dugong Abu Dabab Marsa Alam Red Sea
Joe Graham / SplashdownDirect

Tightrope walker crossing falls near Quebec, Canada
Hardy, a well-named American, crosses the falls at Sault- Montmorency, near Quebec, Canada, performing feats for an hour

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Captivated by the skies, observers have always sought to unravel its mysteries. From the vantage point of a Coyne Helicopter or amidst whispers of UFO sightings, their eyes scan the heavens for extraordinary phenomena. Like 19th Century artwork depicting Halley's Comet, they capture celestial wonders on canvas, immortalizing their awe-inspiring beauty. In 1917, daring souls dropped from Kite Balloons as fearless observers, surveying landscapes and strategizing in times of war. Just like The Chess Players contemplating their next move with precision and foresight, these observers mark targets for Royal Air Force pilots during World War I. Amidst an Expo's luminous glow emanating from an incandescent giant lamp resembling Edison's iconic bulb model, observers marvel at technological advancements that illuminate both minds and cities alike. Beyond warfare and technology lies another realm - one where mediums connect with spirits through seances. In this ethereal space, observers delve into the unknown depths of mediumship to seek answers beyond our earthly realm. World War II brings us to the R. A. F Ante-Room where brave aviators gather before embarking on perilous missions. Among them are de Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter aircrafts - 790-CW, 786-CT, and 730-CA - carrying courageous observers who navigate treacherous skies with unwavering determination. Yet not all observations take place in tumultuous times; sometimes it is a simple Edwardian golfer about to tee off under clear blue skies who becomes an observer in his own right. With each swing of his club comes a momentary escape into serenity as he witnesses nature's grandeur unfold before him. Observers throughout history have gazed upwards or delved deep within themselves seeking knowledge and understanding.