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Refuse Collection (#2)

"From War Sonnets to Kitchen Warfare: The Chronicles of Refuse Collection" In the early morning light of a vibrant c

Background imageRefuse Collection: Napiers Patent Bullet-Compressing Machine (engraving)

Napiers Patent Bullet-Compressing Machine (engraving)
1602110 Napiers Patent Bullet-Compressing Machine (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Napiers Patent Bullet-Compressing Machine)

Background imageRefuse Collection: Plans showing Sanitary Fittings and Drainage of a Pair of Suburban Houses (litho)

Plans showing Sanitary Fittings and Drainage of a Pair of Suburban Houses (litho)
3650884 Plans showing Sanitary Fittings and Drainage of a Pair of Suburban Houses (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageRefuse Collection: The Wimbledon Rifle Meeting, Notes in Camp (engraving)

The Wimbledon Rifle Meeting, Notes in Camp (engraving)
1060134 The Wimbledon Rifle Meeting, Notes in Camp (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Wimbledon Rifle Meeting, Notes in Camp)

Background imageRefuse Collection: Silk (colour litho)

Silk (colour litho)
3648640 Silk (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Silk. Illustration for Atlas of the Worlds Commerce compiled from the latest official returns at)

Background imageRefuse Collection: A five-year journey! (colour litho)

A five-year journey! (colour litho)
2778319 A five-year journey! (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: A five-year journey)

Background imageRefuse Collection: The Enraged Ox, the Dustman and the Taking of Guy Fawkes

The Enraged Ox, the Dustman and the Taking of Guy Fawkes
6340356 The Enraged Ox, the Dustman and the Taking of Guy Fawkes by Taylor, Isaac (1730-1807); (add.info.: The Enraged Ox, the Dustman and the Taking of Guy Fawkes)

Background imageRefuse Collection: The Civil War in Spain, Sketches from the Battle of Beobia (engraving)

The Civil War in Spain, Sketches from the Battle of Beobia (engraving)
1589345 The Civil War in Spain, Sketches from the Battle of Beobia (engraving) by Robinson, Charles (1840-81); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Civil War in Spain)




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"From War Sonnets to Kitchen Warfare: The Chronicles of Refuse Collection" In the early morning light of a vibrant c. 1920 lithograph, refuse collectors diligently make their way through the streets, their carts laden with discarded cans left by Germans after the Battle of Ardennes in January 1945. This scene, reminiscent of a satire from Sebastian Brant's Ship of Fools woodcut series, captures the absurdity and folly of human consumption. As minstrels serenade a woman in another woodcut satire, we are reminded that even amidst beauty and pleasure, waste accumulates. Le Vocabulaire Illustre engraving depicts "Decombres; Rubbish; Schutt, " emphasizing society's need for efficient refuse collection. An engraving depicting bread being wasted during times of dearth serves as a poignant reminder that every morsel counts. Shakespeare himself is portrayed in his study in a lithograph nearby, perhaps contemplating how waste can be avoided or repurposed. The month of February comes alive in vivid color lithography - its depiction revealing both celebration and excess. In contrast, an engraving titled "In The Hands Of The Philistines" suggests that wastefulness falls into the hands of those who lack appreciation for artistry and culture. But it is not all doom and gloom - an advertisement for Birds Custard Powder brings levity to our journey through refuse collection. This kitchen warfare-themed promotion reminds us that even scraps can be transformed into something delightful with creativity and resourcefulness. Finally, we encounter "The Lucky Charms Pile, " depicted in captivating color lithography. Here lies evidence that what may seem like rubbish to some holds value for others - treasures waiting to be discovered among discarded items. In this diverse array of artistic expressions spanning centuries, one common thread emerges: the importance of responsible refuse collection.