Skip to main content

Sir Thomas Lipton Collection

"Sir Thomas Lipton: A Legendary Yachtsman and British Grocer" Step into the world of Sir Thomas Lipton, a man who conquered both the high seas and the grocery industry

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: The sailing yachts White Heather and Shamrock, race downwind

The sailing yachts White Heather and Shamrock, race downwind. Shamrock was designed by William Fife and was Sir Thomas Liptons first challenger for the Americas Cup

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: Americas Cup challenger Shamrock IV sailing without topsail, 1914. Creator

Americas Cup challenger Shamrock IV sailing without topsail, 1914. Creator
Americas Cup challenger Shamrock IV sailing without topsail, 1914. Shamrock IV was a yacht owned by Sir Thomas Lipton and designed by Charles Ernest Nicholson. She was launched in June 1914

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: The cutter Shamrock beating upwind. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes

The cutter Shamrock beating upwind. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The cutter Shamrock beating upwind. Shamrock, designed by William Fife, was Sir Thomas Liptons first (1899) challenger to the Americas Cup

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: The J-Class yachts Shamrock V and Britannia, 1934. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes

The J-Class yachts Shamrock V and Britannia, 1934. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The J-Class yachts Shamrock V and Britannia, 1934

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: The majestic cutters White Heather and Shamrock race downwind, 1912. Creator

The majestic cutters White Heather and Shamrock race downwind, 1912. Creator
The majestic cutters White Heather and Shamrock race downwind, 1912

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton, 1st Baronet, British grocer and yachtsman, 1926

Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton, 1st Baronet, British grocer and yachtsman, 1926. Artist: Alick P F Ritchie
Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton, 1st Baronet, British grocer and yachtsman, 1926. Portrait of Lipton (1848-1931) who created the famous Lipton tea brand and took part in the Americas Cup

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: The cutter Shamrock beating to windward. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes

The cutter Shamrock beating to windward. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The cutter Shamrock beating to windward. Shamrock, designed by William Fife, was Sir Thomas Liptons first (1899) challenger to the Americas Cup

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: The cutter Shamrock sailing close-hauled, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes

The cutter Shamrock sailing close-hauled, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The cutter Shamrock sailing close-hauled, 1912. Shamrock, designed by William Fife, was Sir Thomas Liptons first (1899) challenger to the Americas Cup

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: The launch of Shamrock IV with H. M. S. Victory in the background, May 1914. Creator

The launch of Shamrock IV with H. M. S. Victory in the background, May 1914. Creator
The launch of Shamrock IV at Gosport with H.M.S. Victory in the background, May 1914. Shamrock IV was a yacht owned by Sir Thomas Lipton and designed by Charles Ernest Nicholson

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: The Accident to 'Shamrock II'on 22 May, the Kings Visit to the Yacht and Narrow Escape (litho)

The Accident to "Shamrock II"on 22 May, the Kings Visit to the Yacht and Narrow Escape (litho)
1593893 The Accident to " Shamrock II" on 22 May, the Kings Visit to the Yacht and Narrow Escape (litho) by Wright

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton, 1st Baronet, 1930s

Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton, 1st Baronet, 1930s
3507492 Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton, 1st Baronet, 1930s by Ritchie, Alick Penrose Forbes (1868-1938); (add.info.: Players cigarette card depicting Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton, 1st Baronet)

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: The King at the Royal Amateur Orchestral Societys Smoking Concert at Queens Hall (litho)

The King at the Royal Amateur Orchestral Societys Smoking Concert at Queens Hall (litho)
1043564 The King at the Royal Amateur Orchestral Societys Smoking Concert at Queens Hall (litho) by Craig, Frank (1874-1918); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: Page of article about Sir Thomas Lipton (b / w photo)

Page of article about Sir Thomas Lipton (b / w photo)
5998085 Page of article about Sir Thomas Lipton (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Page of article about Sir Thomas Lipton)

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: The 'America'Cup Contest, the Test Race between 'Shamrock'and 'Britannia'(litho)

The "America"Cup Contest, the Test Race between "Shamrock"and "Britannia"(litho)
1042873 The " America" Cup Contest, the Test Race between " Shamrock" and " Britannia" (litho) by Martino

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: Mr Punchs Literary Costume Ball (engraving)

Mr Punchs Literary Costume Ball (engraving)
3630228 Mr Punchs Literary Costume Ball (engraving) by Partridge, Bernard (1861-1945) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mr Punchs Literary Costume Ball)

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: Page of article about Sir Thomas Lipton (b / w photo)

Page of article about Sir Thomas Lipton (b / w photo)
5998080 Page of article about Sir Thomas Lipton (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Page of article about Sir Thomas Lipton)

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: Page of article about Sir Thomas Lipton (b / w photo)

Page of article about Sir Thomas Lipton (b / w photo)
5998084 Page of article about Sir Thomas Lipton (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Page of article about Sir Thomas Lipton)

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: Liptons Yacht at Cowes (litho)

Liptons Yacht at Cowes (litho)
1599000 Liptons Yacht at Cowes (litho) by Wollen, William Barnes (1857-1936) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Liptons Yacht at Cowes)

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: Recipients of Coronation Honours (b / w photo)

Recipients of Coronation Honours (b / w photo)
1600739 Recipients of Coronation Honours (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Recipients of Coronation Honours)

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: The Coming Race for the 'America'Cup, the arrival of Sir Thomas Lipton at New York (litho)

The Coming Race for the "America"Cup, the arrival of Sir Thomas Lipton at New York (litho)
1037303 The Coming Race for the " America" Cup, the arrival of Sir Thomas Lipton at New York (litho) by Dixon, Charles Edward (1872-1934) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: Magnificent group of 1st Class Races: Shamrock V, White Heather and Candida, 1930

Magnificent group of 1st Class Races: Shamrock V, White Heather and Candida, 1930

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: The towering 10, 450 sq ft sail area of Shamrock IV, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes

The towering 10, 450 sq ft sail area of Shamrock IV, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The towering 10, 450 sq ft sail area of Shamrock IV, 1914. Shamrock IV was a yacht owned by Sir Thomas Lipton and designed by Charles Ernest Nicholson. She was launched in June 1914

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: The cutter Shamrock sailing close-hauled. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes

The cutter Shamrock sailing close-hauled. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The cutter Shamrock sailing close-hauled. Shamrock, designed by William Fife, was Sir Thomas Liptons first (1899) challenger to the Americas Cup

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: Americas Cup challenger Shamrock III. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes

Americas Cup challenger Shamrock III. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Americas Cup challenger Shamrock III. The yacht was designed by William Fife, and was built by William Denny and Brothers of Dumbarton, Scotland. The yacht was launched on 1903

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: The cutter Shamrock beating upwind, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes

The cutter Shamrock beating upwind, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The cutter Shamrock beating upwind, 1912. Shamrock, designed by William Fife, was Sir Thomas Liptons first (1899) challenger to the Americas Cup

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: After launch of Shamrock IV at Gosport with H. M. S. Victory in the background, May 1914

After launch of Shamrock IV at Gosport with H. M. S. Victory in the background, May 1914
After launch of Shamrock IV at Gosport with H.M.S. Victory in the background, May 1914. Shamrock IV was a yacht owned by Sir Thomas Lipton and designed by Charles Ernest Nicholson

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: The launch of Shamrock IV at Gosport, May 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes

The launch of Shamrock IV at Gosport, May 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The launch of Shamrock IV at Gosport, May 1914. Shamrock IV was a yacht owned by Sir Thomas Lipton and designed by Charles Ernest Nicholson

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: Close up of Shamrocks Deck. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes

Close up of Shamrocks Deck. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Close up of Shamrocks Deck. Shamrock, designed by William Fife, was Sir Thomas Liptons first (1899) challenger to the Americas Cup. She was 128 ft overall length and carried 13, 492 sq ft of canvas

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: Shamrock and White Heather powering to windward, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes

Shamrock and White Heather powering to windward, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Shamrock and White Heather powering to windward, 1912

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: Shamrock, Westward, Britannia, Astria and Velsheda, 1933. Creator

Shamrock, Westward, Britannia, Astria and Velsheda, 1933. Creator
Racing yachts Shamrock, Westward, Britannia, Astria and Velsheda, 1933

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: The Shamrock and the Columbia racing for the Americas Cup, 1899 (1906)

The Shamrock and the Columbia racing for the Americas Cup, 1899 (1906). The New York Yacht Clubs Columbia, backed by J P Morgan, defeated the Royal Ulster Yacht Clubs challenger Shamrock

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: Coffee picking on Sir Thomas Liptons estate, Dambutenne, Sri Lanka, 1903

Coffee picking on Sir Thomas Liptons estate, Dambutenne, Sri Lanka, 1903. Artist: Underwood & Underwood
Coffee picking on Sir Thomas Liptons estate, Dambutenne, Sri Lanka, 1903. Stereoscopic slide, detail

Background imageSir Thomas Lipton Collection: Tamil women picking tea on Sir Thomas Liptons estate, Polgahawela, Sri Lanka, 1903

Tamil women picking tea on Sir Thomas Liptons estate, Polgahawela, Sri Lanka, 1903. Artist: Underwood & Underwood
Tamil women picking tea on Sir Thomas Liptons estate, Polgahawela, Sri Lanka, 1903. Stereoscopic card. Detail



For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

"Sir Thomas Lipton: A Legendary Yachtsman and British Grocer" Step into the world of Sir Thomas Lipton, a man who conquered both the high seas and the grocery industry. Known for his passion for sailing, he left an indelible mark on yachting history. Witness the thrilling race between his sailing yachts White Heather and Shamrock as they gracefully glide downwind, showcasing their impeccable speed and agility. In 1914, America's Cup challenger Shamrock IV sailed without its topsail, displaying Lipton's determination to push boundaries. Marvel at the stunning cutter Shamrock as it beats upwind with Kirk & Sons of Cowes' craftsmanship shining through every detail. The J-Class yachts Shamrock V and Britannia take center stage in 1934, capturing hearts with their elegance and power. Lipton himself comes to life in a portrait by artist Alick P F Ritchie in 1926 - a testament to his status as not only a successful businessman but also an esteemed yachtsman. His love for sailing is further evident in images of Shamrock cutting through waves while sailing close-hauled or beating to windward. The launch of Shamrock IV against the backdrop of H. M. S Victory showcases Lipton's grandeur and ambition. However, even great men face challenges; "Shamrock II" suffered an accident on May 22nd - luckily King George V visited just moments before disaster struck. Delve deeper into Sir Thomas Lipton's life beyond sailing; witness him being captured in time during a smoking concert at Queens Hall or featured prominently in articles that highlight his accomplishments. Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton was truly a remarkable figure whose legacy extends far beyond grocers' shelves. He will forever be remembered as an icon who pursued excellence both on land and sea – leaving behind tales that continue to inspire generations today.