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Shovel Collection (#7)

"From Solidarity to Victory: The Enduring Symbolism of the Shovel" The humble shovel, a tool that has witnessed and shaped history across centuries

Background imageShovel Collection: The dramas of mining, a wagon that crashes into a coal mine, near Birmingham (colour litho)

The dramas of mining, a wagon that crashes into a coal mine, near Birmingham (colour litho)
2815391 The dramas of mining, a wagon that crashes into a coal mine, near Birmingham (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: The dramas of mining)

Background imageShovel Collection: Plate 388. Farmer, Using a Spade, 1872-85 (collotype on paper)

Plate 388. Farmer, Using a Spade, 1872-85 (collotype on paper)
3950085 Plate 388. Farmer, Using a Spade, 1872-85 (collotype on paper) by Muybridge, Eadweard (1830-1904); 17.9x41.6 cm; Addison Gallery of American Art, Phillips Academy, Andover, MA

Background imageShovel Collection: A Victorian New Year card of a girl holding a shovel on a beach while two boys in sailor

A Victorian New Year card of a girl holding a shovel on a beach while two boys in sailor
3603708 A Victorian New Year card of a girl holding a shovel on a beach while two boys in sailor suits play with a toy boat, c.1880 (colour litho) by English School

Background imageShovel Collection: Drum Major and Co of a Regiment, of the Line with Pioneer of the Grenadier Company of D

Drum Major and Co of a Regiment, of the Line with Pioneer of the Grenadier Company of D
NAM254139 Drum Major and Co of a Regiment, of the Line with Pioneer of the Grenadier Company of D, from Costumes of the Army of the British Empire, according to the last regulations 1812

Background imageShovel Collection: A Field Officer of Royal Engineers and a Private Sapper

A Field Officer of Royal Engineers and a Private Sapper
NAM254122 A Field Officer of Royal Engineers and a Private Sapper, from Costumes of the Army of the British Empire, according to the last regulations 1812, published by Colnaghi & Co

Background imageShovel Collection: Prospectors during the Californian Gold Rush of 1849 (colour litho)

Prospectors during the Californian Gold Rush of 1849 (colour litho)
PNP245897 Prospectors during the Californian Gold Rush of 1849 (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark Western Americana; American, out of copyright

Background imageShovel Collection: The stoking room of the RMS Aquitania (b / w photo)

The stoking room of the RMS Aquitania (b / w photo)
STC255816 The stoking room of the RMS Aquitania (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Launched in 1913)

Background imageShovel Collection: Preparing for the snow-ball fight (colour litho)

Preparing for the snow-ball fight (colour litho)
STC255614 Preparing for the snow-ball fight (colour litho) by English School; Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

Background imageShovel Collection: Ms. 3066 fol. 39v The Labourer, from Le Livre des echecs moralises

Ms. 3066 fol. 39v The Labourer, from Le Livre des echecs moralises
XIR290432 Ms.3066 fol.39v The Labourer, from Le Livre des echecs moralises, by Jacques de Cessoles (vellum) by French School, (15th century); Bibliotheque Municipale, Rouen

Background imageShovel Collection: Irish prospectors washing for gold, 1849 (b / w photo)

Irish prospectors washing for gold, 1849 (b / w photo)
PNP246165 Irish prospectors washing for gold, 1849 (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark American Pictures; American, out of copyright

Background imageShovel Collection: Gardening tools and a mobile pruning platform, from the

Gardening tools and a mobile pruning platform, from the
STC243952 Gardening tools and a mobile pruning platform, from the Encyclopedie des Sciences et Metiers by Denis Diderot (1713-84) published c.1770 (engraving) by French School

Background imageShovel Collection: John Bull and the Sinking Fund or A Pretty Scheme for Reducing Taxes

John Bull and the Sinking Fund or A Pretty Scheme for Reducing Taxes
NCO191209 John Bull and the Sinking Fund or A Pretty Scheme for Reducing Taxes and Paying off the National Debt, published by Hannah Humphrey in 1807 (hand-coloured etching) by Gillray

Background imageShovel Collection: United Mine Workers Certificate, 1890 (coloured engraving)

United Mine Workers Certificate, 1890 (coloured engraving)
NYH188440 United Mine Workers Certificate, 1890 (coloured engraving) by American School, (19th century); Collection of the New-York Historical Society, USA; eNew York Historical Society; American

Background imageShovel Collection: Educational poster for a school showing bakers at work and tools of the bakery trade

Educational poster for a school showing bakers at work and tools of the bakery trade
CHT404273 Educational poster for a school showing bakers at work and tools of the bakery trade (colour litho) by French School, (19th century); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

Background imageShovel Collection: St. Fiacre (d. 670) 1841 (coloured engraving)

St. Fiacre (d. 670) 1841 (coloured engraving)
CHT183743 St. Fiacre (d.670) 1841 (coloured engraving) by French School, (19th century); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; (add.info)

Background imageShovel Collection: Rural Scene, 1864 (oil on board)

Rural Scene, 1864 (oil on board)
TW426517 Rural Scene, 1864 (oil on board) by Ryott, William (1817-83); 47x40 cm; Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, UK; eTyne & Wear Archives & Museums; British, out of copyright

Background imageShovel Collection: Coal miners (chromolitho)

Coal miners (chromolitho)
2817178 Coal miners (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Coal miners. Educational card, late 19th or early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Background imageShovel Collection: A French village in the Pyrenees buried in the snow, the opening of tunnels to help

A French village in the Pyrenees buried in the snow, the opening of tunnels to help the inhabitants (colour litho)
2814973 A French village in the Pyrenees buried in the snow, the opening of tunnels to help the inhabitants (colour litho) by Beltrame

Background imageShovel Collection: The Worker (pencil & w / c on paper)

The Worker (pencil & w / c on paper)
1213877 The Worker (pencil & w/c on paper) by Marsh, Arthur Hardwick (1842-1909); 18.1x28.2 cm; Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK; eTyne & Wear Archives & Museums; English, out of copyright

Background imageShovel Collection: The Sleeping City: the Cemetery of Pera, Constantinople

The Sleeping City: the Cemetery of Pera, Constantinople
1217353 The Sleeping City: the Cemetery of Pera, Constantinople, 1856 - 1888 (watercolour on paper) by Hunt, William Holman (1827-1910); 50.4x35.2 cm; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

Background imageShovel Collection: Gigantic shovel-nose shark, weight 1460 lb, caught off Panama by Mr Mitchell Hedges (b / w photo)

Gigantic shovel-nose shark, weight 1460 lb, caught off Panama by Mr Mitchell Hedges (b / w photo)
6009055 Gigantic shovel-nose shark, weight 1460 lb, caught off Panama by Mr Mitchell Hedges (b/w photo) by European Photographer

Background imageShovel Collection: A gardener leaning on his shovel, c. 1600 (opaque w / c & gold on paper)

A gardener leaning on his shovel, c. 1600 (opaque w / c & gold on paper)
874291 A gardener leaning on his shovel, c.1600 (opaque w/c & gold on paper) by Aqa Riza (fl.1580-1620); 15.8 x8.4 cm; San Diego Museum of Art

Background imageShovel Collection: John Bull and The Sinking Fund - a Petty scheme for Reducing the Taxes & paying off

John Bull and The Sinking Fund - a Petty scheme for Reducing the Taxes & paying off
872450 John Bull and The Sinking Fund - a Petty scheme for Reducing the Taxes & paying off the National Debt, pub. H Humphrey, London, 1807 (hand-coloured engaving) by Gillray

Background imageShovel Collection: A Victorian Christmas card of three children playing with a large snowball, c

A Victorian Christmas card of three children playing with a large snowball, c
3603662 A Victorian Christmas card of three children playing with a large snowball, c.1880 (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; Photo eDavid Pearson; English

Background imageShovel Collection: Sexton (engraving)

Sexton (engraving)
3621967 Sexton (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sexton. Illustration for Routledges Sunday Album (c 1880).); © Look and Learn

Background imageShovel Collection: The streets of civilization (colour litho)

The streets of civilization (colour litho)
2778447 The streets of civilization (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: The streets of civilization)

Background imageShovel Collection: One of the most remarkable examples of generous patriotism is that offered by the mountain people

One of the most remarkable examples of generous patriotism is that offered by the mountain people of Corbesassi
2777997 One of the most remarkable examples of generous patriotism is that offered by the mountain people of Corbesassi

Background imageShovel Collection: Boy clearing away snow, Christmas Card (chromolitho)

Boy clearing away snow, Christmas Card (chromolitho)
730804 Boy clearing away snow, Christmas Card (chromolitho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Boy clearing away snow)

Background imageShovel Collection: Manufacture of Gas (engraving)

Manufacture of Gas (engraving)
2801985 Manufacture of Gas (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Manufacture of Gas)

Background imageShovel Collection: Brass-Founder (engraving)

Brass-Founder (engraving)
2801947 Brass-Founder (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Brass-Founder. Illustration for An Illustrated Vocabulary For The Use Of The Deaf And Dumb (SPCK)

Background imageShovel Collection: Shovel (engraving)

Shovel (engraving)
2801213 Shovel (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Shovel. Illustration for An Illustrated Vocabulary For The Use Of The Deaf And Dumb (SPCK)

Background imageShovel Collection: The White Knight, Alices Adventures In Wonderland And Through The Looking-Glass And

The White Knight, Alices Adventures In Wonderland And Through The Looking-Glass And
2657695 The White Knight, Alices Adventures In Wonderland And Through The Looking-Glass And What Alice Found There, by Lewis Carroll (1832 - 98), published 1911 (coloured lithograph) by Tenniel

Background imageShovel Collection: Cincinnatus in Retirement, pub. 1782 (hand coloured engraving)

Cincinnatus in Retirement, pub. 1782 (hand coloured engraving)
2655362 Cincinnatus in Retirement, pub. 1782 (hand coloured engraving) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageShovel Collection: Tired Out, 1904 (colour litho)

Tired Out, 1904 (colour litho)
STC363494 Tired Out, 1904 (colour litho) by Jungman, Nico (1872-1935); Private Collection; (add.info.: From a portfolio of prints from the original watercolours; ); The Stapleton Collection; English

Background imageShovel Collection: Paris, night work, late 19th century (colour litho)

Paris, night work, late 19th century (colour litho)
REV326129 Paris, night work, late 19th century (colour litho) by French School, (19th century); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris, France; (add.info.: travail de nuit; ); French

Background imageShovel Collection: Broom and Spade, 1842 (b / w photo)

Broom and Spade, 1842 (b / w photo)
STC224272 Broom and Spade, 1842 (b/w photo) by Talbot, William Henry Fox (1800-77); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

Background imageShovel Collection: A typical 49er prospector of the California Gold Rush of 1849

A typical 49er prospector of the California Gold Rush of 1849
PNP245887 A typical 49er prospector of the California Gold Rush of 1849 (coloured engraving) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark American Pictures; American

Background imageShovel Collection: South facade of the Villa la Pietra (photo)

South facade of the Villa la Pietra (photo)
BEN276644 South facade of the Villa la Pietra (photo) by Italian School; Florence, Tuscany, Italy; (add.info.: central door with sixteenth century lintel)

Background imageShovel Collection: Ho! for California, illustration from the New York Atlas, 14th January

Ho! for California, illustration from the New York Atlas, 14th January
AQS251284 Ho! for California, illustration from the New York Atlas, 14th January, 1849 (litho) by American School, (19th century); American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Massachusetts

Background imageShovel Collection: The Festivities in Russia, View of the Ice Hills, St Petersburg (engraving)

The Festivities in Russia, View of the Ice Hills, St Petersburg (engraving)
1058405 The Festivities in Russia, View of the Ice Hills, St Petersburg (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Festivities in Russia)

Background imageShovel Collection: Gardener Harvesting, pub. Erfurt in Thuringia, 1753-55 (engraving)

Gardener Harvesting, pub. Erfurt in Thuringia, 1753-55 (engraving)
1123824 Gardener Harvesting, pub. Erfurt in Thuringia, 1753-55 (engraving) by Reicharts, Christian (fl.1753-55); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageShovel Collection: Father and Son Shovelling Snow in Their Driveway, 1945 (screen print)

Father and Son Shovelling Snow in Their Driveway, 1945 (screen print)
3034726 Father and Son Shovelling Snow in Their Driveway, 1945 (screen print) by American School, (20th century); (add.info)

Background imageShovel Collection: A steam crane in operation during the building of the Circle Line at Paddington, London

A steam crane in operation during the building of the Circle Line at Paddington, London
STC153094 A steam crane in operation during the building of the Circle Line at Paddington, London, c.1890 (albumen print on card) by English School

Background imageShovel Collection: The Gardener of St. Helena (colour litho)

The Gardener of St. Helena (colour litho)
CHT182639 The Gardener of St. Helena (colour litho) by French School, (19th century); Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet, Paris

Background imageShovel Collection: St. Fiacre (d. 670) (colour litho)

St. Fiacre (d. 670) (colour litho)
CHT183745 St. Fiacre (d.670) (colour litho) by French School, (19th century); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris, France; (add.info.: had the gift of healing; ); eArchives Charmet; French

Background imageShovel Collection: French Legionnaires in Morocco at a Burial, illustration from Le Pelerin

French Legionnaires in Morocco at a Burial, illustration from Le Pelerin
CHT170138 French Legionnaires in Morocco at a Burial, illustration from Le Pelerin, 25th August 1907 (colour litho) by Damblans

Background imageShovel Collection: The Cole-Heavers, published by William Humphrey in 1783 (hand-coloured etching)

The Cole-Heavers, published by William Humphrey in 1783 (hand-coloured etching)
NCO190477 The Cole-Heavers, published by William Humphrey in 1783 (hand-coloured etching) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); Courtesy of the Warden and Scholars of New College




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"From Solidarity to Victory: The Enduring Symbolism of the Shovel" The humble shovel, a tool that has witnessed and shaped history across centuries, stands as a symbol of labor, resilience, and triumph. Its significance transcends time and borders, connecting diverse moments in human experience. In the spirit of solidarity, labors around the world celebrate May Day each year. They unite under banners bearing images like Hamilton at Yorktown in 1781 - an iconic depiction of determination amidst conflict. This steel engraving by Alonzo Chappel captures the essence of collective effort that echoes through generations. During World War II's darkest days, the "Dig for Victory" poster became a rallying cry for nations ravaged by war. It urged citizens to cultivate their own food as an act of defiance against scarcity and oppression. In Heihe on the Chinese-Russian border, workers shoveled heavy snow during one fateful March storm - a testament to their unwavering dedication even in nature's harshest grip. Through royal corridors and mining tunnels alike, shovels have left indelible marks on history's canvas. Tsar Nicholas II himself may have wielded one alongside his family members while tending to their estate or engaging in manual labor - reminding us that hard work knows no boundaries. Deep within East Pool Mine in Cornwall lies evidence of back-breaking toil endured by miners seeking prosperity beneath unforgiving earth. Similarly haunting are the ruins of Petworth boys school from September 29th, 1942 - where young hands once grasped shovels now reclaimed by time but forever etched into memory. Gender barriers crumbled as well when illustrations depicted female manual workers standing proudly behind tipper trucks with spades held high. These women shattered stereotypes while contributing significantly to societies' progress. The founding tale unfolds further with Pedro Menendez de Aviles establishing St. Augustine, Florida in 1565.