Prude Collection

Mary Quant Ginger Group dresses in Liberty print, 1964
Traditional Libert print used for a new-old look in Mary Quants Ginger Group collection. Fashioned in demure covered-up little dresses with pique collars and cuffs

Tango craze: British ballroom version imagined, 1913
" The tango untangled, and made suitable for use in British ballrooms." The Bystander imagines a sanitised version of the tango, suitable for dancing in respectable British ballrooms

The Girl of the Period! or, Painted by a Prurient Prude (colour litho)
3648189 The Girl of the Period! or, Painted by a Prurient Prude (colour litho) by Morgan, Matthew " Matt" Somerville (1839-90); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Girl of the Period)

Comic postcard, Smiths Trousers Are Down Again - Inspection Invited Date: early 20th century

"Making Decent", cartoon showing William Wilberforce (1759-1833
GHL60001 " Making Decent", cartoon showing William Wilberforce (1759-1833) covering up the statue of Achilles at Hyde Park Corner, by Richard Westmacott (1775-1856), pub

Strip tease card game - Joker card, featuring the four heads of the Theatre Manager, the exotic peformer, the prosecution barrister and the prude, Miss Prim

Strip tease card game - Prudie suit - Mrs Grundy. A game which features characters involved in performing (and subsequently prosecuting and defending) a striptease

Strip tease card game - Prudie suit - Prohibitionist. A game which features characters involved in performing (and subsequently prosecuting and defending) a striptease

Strip tease card game - Prudie suit - Sour-puss. A game which features characters involved in performing (and subsequently prosecuting and defending) a striptease

Strip tease card game - Prudie suit - Prude. A game which features characters involved in performing (and subsequently prosecuting and defending) a striptease

Strip tease card game - Prudie suit - Wowser. A game which features characters involved in performing (and subsequently prosecuting and defending) a striptease

Strip tease card game - Prudie suit - Prig. A game which features characters involved in performing (and subsequently prosecuting and defending) a striptease

Strip tease card game - Prudie suit - Miss Prim. A game which features characters involved in performing (and subsequently prosecuting and defending) a striptease

Strip tease card game - Prudie suit - Nark. A game which features characters involved in performing (and subsequently prosecuting and defending) a striptease

Strip tease card game - Prudie suit - Informer. A game which features characters involved in performing (and subsequently prosecuting and defending) a striptease

Strip tease card game - Prudie suit - Snoop. A game which features characters involved in performing (and subsequently prosecuting and defending) a striptease

Strip tease card game - Prudie suit - Spoil Sport. A game which features characters involved in performing (and subsequently prosecuting and defending) a striptease

Cartoon, Our Society Portraiture, Mrs Grundy. Showing just the face, hat and folded hands of a docile-looking Mrs Grundy, the proverbial Mary Whitehouse figure of the early 20th century

In the Bar: The Fat Proprietor and the Anaemic Cashier, 1898 (gouache on paper)
XIR20086 In the Bar: The Fat Proprietor and the Anaemic Cashier, 1898 (gouache on paper) by Toulouse-Lautrec, Henri de (1864-1901); 81.5x60 cm; Kunsthaus, Zurich, Switzerland; (add.info.: Au Cafe)

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"Unveiling the Prude: A Journey through Decency and Provocation" Step back in time to 1964, where Mary Quant's Ginger Group dresses adorned with Liberty prints were all the rage. These bold and vibrant designs challenged societal norms, daring women to embrace their individuality. But let us not forget the Tango craze of 1913, when British ballrooms brimmed with passion and imagination. The dance floor became a stage for expression, pushing boundaries while captivating audiences with its sensuality. Intriguingly enough, even card games had their own flirtatious twist. The Joker card from a strip tease game hinted at a world of hidden desires and playful seduction. Delving deeper into history, we encounter "The Girl of the Period. " - an audacious lithograph that scandalized prudish minds. Painted by a prurient prude, it exposed society's fascination with both virtue and vice. Comic postcards also played their part in challenging conventions. One such example was titled "Smiths Trousers Are Down Again - Inspection Invited Date, " humorously mocking traditional notions of decency. Yet amidst this sea of provocation emerged voices advocating for propriety. William Wilberforce's cartoon depiction in "Making Decent" showcased his tireless efforts to promote moral values during the 18th century. Returning to our strip tease card game journey, we encounter various suits representing different personas – Mrs Grundy as the embodiment of strict social conformity; Prohibitionist fighting against indulgence; Sour-puss exuding disapproval; Prude epitomizing modesty; Wowser preaching temperance; and finally Prig symbolizing excessive self-righteousness. These cards serve as reminders that throughout history there have always been those who championed restraint over indulgence. They remind us that within every era exists a delicate balance between freedom of expression and upholding societal norms.