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Service Industry Collection (#2)

The service industry has a rich and diverse history, as depicted in various artworks throughout the centuries

Background imageService Industry Collection: A Chop House, 1781

A Chop House, 1781
Interior view of a chop house supposed to be Dollys Chop House, Paternoster Row, near the St Pauls Cathedral end of Ludgate Hill

Background imageService Industry Collection: The coffee room in the London Bridge Railway Terminus Hotel, Bermondsey, London, 1860

The coffee room in the London Bridge Railway Terminus Hotel, Bermondsey, London, 1860
Interior view of the coffee room in the London Bridge Railway Terminus Hotel, Bermondsey, London, 1860. The hotel, on the south side of the station

Background imageService Industry Collection: Celebration of the 13th anniversary of the City Steam Boat Company, Battersea, London, c1859

Celebration of the 13th anniversary of the City Steam Boat Company, Battersea, London, c1859. Captains, crews, and working staff commemorating the 13th anniversary of the CSBC the dry dock at

Background imageService Industry Collection: Summer amusement, possibly at White Conduit House, Islington, London, c1784

Summer amusement, possibly at White Conduit House, Islington, London, c1784. View of a tea garden showing people playing bat, trap and ball

Background imageService Industry Collection: Castle Tavern, Old Kent Road, London, c1830. Artist: George Scharf

Castle Tavern, Old Kent Road, London, c1830. Artist: George Scharf
View of the Castle Tavern, London, c1830. Also showing part of the yard belonging to Robert Atkins, timber merchant, on the Old Kent Road, Southwark

Background imageService Industry Collection: Bell Inn, Edgware Road, London, 1788. Artist: CA Prestel

Bell Inn, Edgware Road, London, 1788. Artist: CA Prestel
View of the Bell Inn on Edgware Road, London, 1788; with a horse drawn carriage in the foreground

Background imageService Industry Collection: Kings Head Public House, Pentonville. Islington, London, c1850

Kings Head Public House, Pentonville. Islington, London, c1850
View of the old Kings Head public house, next door to White Conduit House in Pentonville, Islington, London, c1850

Background imageService Industry Collection: Dedication to London Publicans, London, c1800

Dedication to London Publicans, London, c1800
Sir John Barleycorn - Miss Hop...; c1800. Scene showing a stout man crowned with barley and poppies and bound in a sheaf of barley, sitting on the grass, smoking a long pipe

Background imageService Industry Collection: George and Blue Boar Inn, Holborn, London, c1850

George and Blue Boar Inn, Holborn, London, c1850
View of the George and Blue Boar Inn, Holborn, London, c1850; with figures, carriages and horses feeding in the yard

Background imageService Industry Collection: Old Hats Tavern, (Uxbridge, Middlesex?), 1796. Artist: Isaac Cruikshank

Old Hats Tavern, (Uxbridge, Middlesex?), 1796. Artist: Isaac Cruikshank
A group of figures possibly outside the Old Hats Tavern, in Uxbridge, Middlesex, 1796. Uxbridge is now in the London borough of Hillingdon

Background imageService Industry Collection: The London al - ns taste, or pretty Sally of the chop-house, 1750

The London al - ns taste, or pretty Sally of the chop-house, 1750
The London al - ns taste, or pretty Sally of the chop-house ; a waitress hands a chop on a dish to an alderman on the left

Background imageService Industry Collection: The Politician, 1871. Artist: Jonathon Pratt

The Politician, 1871. Artist: Jonathon Pratt
The Politician, 1871. A cobbler, with a half mended boot in his lap, studying a paper held in one hand with a pipe in the other. Another paper lies on the bench beside him along with his work tools

Background imageService Industry Collection: Salisbury Square, London, c1830

Salisbury Square, London, c1830
A view of Salisbury Square, London, c1830, showing nos 45-46, Hims Hotel, later to become the Salisbury Hotel. Also showing are figures, horses, carriages and a lamppost

Background imageService Industry Collection: The Lord Mayors Dinner at Guildhall, London, 1829

The Lord Mayors Dinner at Guildhall, London, 1829; showing rows of tables and figures with staff working in the foreground. William Thompson was Lord Mayor in 1828-29

Background imageService Industry Collection: White Horse Inn, Fetter Lane, London, 1870. Artist: JT Wilson

White Horse Inn, Fetter Lane, London, 1870. Artist: JT Wilson
White Horse Inn, Fetter Lane, London, 1870. View of the White Horse Inn on Fetter Lane, with an open drain in the foreground, and a figure on horseback seen through the entrance

Background imageService Industry Collection: Fetter Lane, London, 1870. Artist: JT Wilson

Fetter Lane, London, 1870. Artist: JT Wilson
Fetter Lane, London, 1870. Front view of the White Horse Inn on Fetter Lane, with figures and horse drawn cart on the street

Background imageService Industry Collection: Select vestry comforts, 1828. Artist: Thomas Jones

Select vestry comforts, 1828. Artist: Thomas Jones
Select vestry comforts, 1828. Eight of the select vestry of St Paul s, Covent Garden dining in the vestry room. At the head of the table is the vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Dr George Richards

Background imageService Industry Collection: Bull and Mouth Street, London, 1806. Artist: Valentine Davis

Bull and Mouth Street, London, 1806. Artist: Valentine Davis
View of the yard at the Bull and Mouth Inn, St Martins le Grand, London, 1806. With carriages and figures

Background imageService Industry Collection: The aldermans dinner, 1775

The aldermans dinner, 1775. An obese alderman eats gluttonously; his slimmer companion, bent over a plate, evidently suffers from gout as his bandaged foot rests on a cushion

Background imageService Industry Collection: The Unfortunate Beau, 1772

The Unfortunate Beau, 1772; a maid takes out her mop to the great distress of a passing beau whose clothes are splattered

Background imageService Industry Collection: The City Tonsor, 1771

The City Tonsor, 1771. A corpulent man is holding three wigs on a stand; the one on the right is like that worn by macaronis

Background imageService Industry Collection: Old Goat and Compasses Inn, Marylebone Road, London, 1868. Artist: JT Wilson

Old Goat and Compasses Inn, Marylebone Road, London, 1868. Artist: JT Wilson
View of the Old Goat and Compasses Inn on Marylebone Road, London, 1868

Background imageService Industry Collection: Duck pond at St Marylebone, c1802

Duck pond at St Marylebone, c1802
View of the duck pond and part of the tea gardens, at St Marylebone, London, c1802. Also showing what might either be the Jews Harp Public House or the Queens Head and Artichoke Inn, St Marylebone

Background imageService Industry Collection: Brompton Road, Kensington, London, c1810. Artist: William Pickett

Brompton Road, Kensington, London, c1810. Artist: William Pickett
Vignette of an inn on the Brompton Road, Kensington, London, c1810

Background imageService Industry Collection: A Rakes Progress, 1735, plate III of VIII. Artist: William Hogarth

A Rakes Progress, 1735, plate III of VIII. Artist: William Hogarth
A Rakes Progress, 1735, plate III of VIII. Tom Rakewell is in the Rose Tavern, on Drury Lane, London, being relieved of his pocket watch by two women

Background imageService Industry Collection: A coffee stall at Hyde Park Corner, London, 20th century

A coffee stall at Hyde Park Corner, London, 20th century. This coffee stall was pitched opposite St Georges Hospital just before ten o clock every night

Background imageService Industry Collection: The After-dinner Speech, 1908. Artist: Lance Thackeray

The After-dinner Speech, 1908. Artist: Lance Thackeray
The After-dinner Speech, 1908. From The Light Side of Egypt, 1908

Background imageService Industry Collection: The Gourmands, 1920-1930

The Gourmands, 1920-1930. Pochoir print

Background imageService Industry Collection: Grosvenor House Hotel, Charter Square, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1968

Grosvenor House Hotel, Charter Square, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1968. The hotel pictured soon after its opening

Background imageService Industry Collection: Dyers and cleaners shop front, 480 Fulwood Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, January 1967

Dyers and cleaners shop front, 480 Fulwood Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, January 1967. A typical mid 1960s shop front

Background imageService Industry Collection: Mk 1 BMC Austin 1800 outside a tyre fitting bay in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, 1969

Mk 1 BMC Austin 1800 outside a tyre fitting bay in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, 1969. The Austin 1800, (or ADO17 to give it its official name)

Background imageService Industry Collection: Mini van being washed in a car wash, Co-op garage, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, 1965

Mini van being washed in a car wash, Co-op garage, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, 1965. An Austin Mini van from the North Lindsey Water Board stands in the car wash at the Co-op Garage in Scunthorpe in

Background imageService Industry Collection: New Wimpy Bar, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, 1960. Artist: Michael Walters

New Wimpy Bar, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, 1960. Artist: Michael Walters
New Wimpy Bar, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, 1960. The interior of the new Wimpy Bar in central Barnsley which offered American style fast food. It opened in April 1960

Background imageService Industry Collection: Hairdressing department, Barnsley Co-op, South Yorkshire, 1957. Artist: Michael Walters

Hairdressing department, Barnsley Co-op, South Yorkshire, 1957. Artist: Michael Walters
Hairdressing department, Barnsley Co-op, South Yorkshire, 1957. The hairdrying units, under which the women are sitting were a common sight in ladies hairdressers until recent times

Background imageService Industry Collection: Hairdressers salon, Armthorpe, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, 1961

Hairdressers salon, Armthorpe, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, 1961. The photograph was commissioned by the company who manufactured the Formica wipe down surfaces

Background imageService Industry Collection: Hairdressers at work, Armthorpe, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, 1961

Hairdressers at work, Armthorpe, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, 1961. The photograph was commissioned by the company who manufactured the Formica wipe down surfaces

Background imageService Industry Collection: Hairdressing salon, Armthorpe, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, 1964

Hairdressing salon, Armthorpe, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, 1964. The easy clean marble effect formica was popular during the 1960s and this photograph was taken to advertise the product

Background imageService Industry Collection: Karavomilos Lake Taverna, Kefalonia, Greece

Karavomilos Lake Taverna, Kefalonia, Greece

Background imageService Industry Collection: Dining car on the Orient Express, c1885

Dining car on the Orient Express, c1885. Wood engraving published Paris. (Colorised black and white print)

Background imageService Industry Collection: La Grande Salle Du Cafe Americain, 1900

La Grande Salle Du Cafe Americain, 1900. From Le Panorama - Paris la Nuit No. 1, [Librairie D Art - Ludovic Baschet editeur, Paris, 1900]

Background imageService Industry Collection: Breakfast Room, Roosevelt Hotel, New York City, 1924

Breakfast Room, Roosevelt Hotel, New York City, 1924. Named in honour of US President Theodore Roosevelt, New Yorks Roosevelt Hotel opened on 22 September 1924

Background imageService Industry Collection: In the brasserie, Hotel de l Europe, Leicester Square, London c1903 (1903)

In the brasserie, Hotel de l Europe, Leicester Square, London c1903 (1903). The Grand Hotel and Brasserie de l Europe, on the north side of Leicester Square was designed by Walter Lawrence Emden

Background imageService Industry Collection: Bank Holiday, 1912 (1935). Artist: William Strang

Bank Holiday, 1912 (1935). Artist: William Strang
Bank Holiday, 1912 (1935). After the painting by William Strang, R.A. From Modern Masterpieces Part 23. [George Newnes Ltd, London, 1935]

Background imageService Industry Collection: The Cafe Royal, London, 1912. Artist: William Newenham Montague Orpen

The Cafe Royal, London, 1912. Artist: William Newenham Montague Orpen
The Cafe Royal, London, 1912. From The Studio Volume 105 [The Offices of the Studio Ltd. London, 1933]

Background imageService Industry Collection: Havana Club Rum, Private Bar, Havana, Cuba, c1900s

Havana Club Rum, Private Bar, Havana, Cuba, c1900s

Background imageService Industry Collection: La Bouquetiere Garcon Cafetiere, c18th century, (1903). Artist: Jean-Pierre Houel

La Bouquetiere Garcon Cafetiere, c18th century, (1903). Artist: Jean-Pierre Houel
La Bouquetiere Garcon Cafetier, by Houel de Rouen, c18th century. From The Connoisseur Vol. VII [Otto Limited, London, 1903.]

Background imageService Industry Collection: The Restaurant Claridges, c19th century, (1905). Artist: Max Cowper

The Restaurant Claridges, c19th century, (1905). Artist: Max Cowper
The Restaurant Claridges, c19th century. From The Connoisseur 1905 [Otto Limited, London, 1905.]

Background imageService Industry Collection: Doux Souvenir de Fontainebleau, 1886 (1891). Artist: George du Maurier

Doux Souvenir de Fontainebleau, 1886 (1891). Artist: George du Maurier
Doux Souvenir de Fontainebleau, 1886 (1891). A print from Society Pictures, drawn by George du Maurier, selected from Punch, Volume II, London, 1891




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The service industry has a rich and diverse history, as depicted in various artworks throughout the centuries. In "Revelling with Harlots, plate III of A Rakes Progress" from 1735, we catch a glimpse of the lively atmosphere of an establishment where pleasure-seeking individuals indulge in their desires. Fast forward to 1933, and we witness the marvels of technology with the Galley Zeppelin LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin. This magnificent airship revolutionized travel and brought luxury service to new heights. In "Sloppy Joes Bar, Havana, Cuba" captured in 1951, we are transported to a vibrant watering hole where locals and tourists alike gather for drinks and good times. It serves as a reminder that bars have long been essential social hubs within the service industry. Moving on to more mundane yet crucial aspects of this sector, "Shirt pressing at a commercial laundry in Scunthorpe" portrays the meticulous work done by laundry professionals in 1965. Their attention to detail ensures that customers receive crisp and perfectly pressed garments. Similarly highlighting behind-the-scenes operations is "Scenes in a laundry, " an artwork from 1884 showcasing workers diligently tending to piles of linens. These unsung heroes play an integral role in maintaining cleanliness and orderliness within our communities. Meanwhile, car washes have become synonymous with convenience and efficiency over time. The image titled "A 1961 Austin Westminster in a car wash" captures this sentiment perfectly while reminding us how vehicle maintenance is also part of the vast service industry landscape. Stepping into another era entirely brings us to Paris' Quai de Billy circa 1889 when The Duval Restaurant stood proudly along its banks. This iconic eatery catered not only delicious food but also impeccable customer serviceā€”a testament to how restaurants have always played an important role within this dynamic field. Advertising has long been intertwined with services offered.