Spade Collection (#7)

Comic postcard, Elderly man and gravedigger Date: 20th century

Heroic patrols around Tobruk (colour litho)
2778564 Heroic patrols around Tobruk (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: Heroic patrols around Tobruk)

Comic postcard, Little girl on the beach with bucket and spade Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Little boy on the beach with bucket and spade Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Little boys on the beach Date: 20th century

The latest works on one of the most significant works that will be inaugurated in Rome during the Decennial of
2783633 The latest works on one of the most significant works that will be inaugurated in Rome during the Decennial of the Revolution (colour litho) by Beltrame

Miners and mine buildings at the Monte Rosa gold mines, Italy (chromolitho)
2788901 Miners and mine buildings at the Monte Rosa gold mines, Italy (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Comic postcard - plump man on the beach - I Can t See My Little Charlie Date: circa 1949

Comic postcard - plump woman on beach - I Can t See My Little Charlie Date: circa 1949

Comic postcard, Little girl riding a donkey on the beach Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Plump man and boy on the beach Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Family arriving on the beach
Comic postcard, Family of five, plus a dog, arriving on the beach Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Little boy on the beach with bucket and spade Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Boy on sandcastle with flag - You bet I ll defend my island fortress Date: 20th century

Political economy cartoon (litho)
3103019 Political economy cartoon (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Political economy cartoon)

Little girl and a Scotsman (colour litho)
3104555 Little girl and a Scotsman (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Little girl and a Scotsman)

Comic postcard, Little girl paddling at the seaside Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Little girl at the seaside with goat Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Little girl at the seaside on a windy day Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Little boy clinging to post on the beach. I don t want to leave. Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Little girl clinging to rock on the beach. I don t want to leave. Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Middle-aged woman and gravedigger Date: 20th century

Allotment studies by G. E. Studdy
No. I. - Back to the land and what it fills like! To tackle food shortages, people were given plots to grow their own vegetables, in this cartoon a man is in agonising back pain

A toddler on the beach at Bognor Regis with a bucket in hand. Date: 1920s

Herbert George Wells (1866 - 1946), writer, historian, best known for his science fiction novels. Pictured in his study at his home, Spade House, Sandgate

King of the Castle by Margaret Tempest. 1942

The Sale of Antiquities, by E Nesbit (litho)
1593449 The Sale of Antiquities, by E Nesbit (litho) by Buckland, Arthur Herbert (1870-fl.1927); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Sale of Antiquities, by E Nesbit)

Comic Seaside Postcard - I Can t See My Little Johnny
I Can t See My Little Johnny - Humorous saucy seaside postcard design by Donald McGill (1875-1962). Date: circa 1949

Pedlar and his dog in the window of Saint Mary-at-Lambeth
Pedlar and his dog in the stained glass window of the church at Saint Mary-at-Lambeth. Copperplate engraving by John Thomas Smith after original drawings by members of the Society of Antiquaries

Young English gentleman riding with hounds in a stag hunt. A woman rider thrown from a horse. iHandcoloured copperplate engraving after an illustration by Thomas Rowlandson from William Combes The

Gunners of the Royal Regiment of Artillery resting in the trenches of Sebastopol, c
NAM280821 Gunners of the Royal Regiment of Artillery resting in the trenches of Sebastopol, c.1855 (w/c on paper) by Alderson, Lt

Lying in wait, illustration from The History of the Nation (litho)
STC306665 Lying in wait, illustration from The History of the Nation (litho) by Mecham, Clifford Henry (fl.1858); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

Pirate Chief burying treasure (colour litho)
PNP261480 Pirate Chief burying treasure (colour litho) by Gallant, R.J. (19th Century); Private Collection; Peter Newark Historical Pictures; American, out of copyright

Children playing in rowing boat on beach at Gorleston-on-Sea
Seven young children playing in a rowing boat on the beach at Gorleston-on-Sea. Date: circa 1910s

A truly delightful candid seaside photograph of a Mother and her two young daughters on a sandy beach. Date: circa 1920s

Charles Martin, a working miner from Dinnington Colliery who was also a successful artist, having painted in oils 270 pictures, many of which he had sold

The Martyrdom of St. Andrew
AII79583 The Martyrdom of St. Andrew by Dolci, Carlo (1616-86); Palazzo Pitti, Florence, Italy; Italian, out of copyright

Her First Place (oil on canvas)
CW135549 Her First Place (oil on canvas) by Leslie, George Dunlop (1835-1921); 61x50.8 cm; Private Collection; eChristopher Wood Gallery, London, UK; English, out of copyright

Death and Immortality (oil on wood)
NYH149787 Death and Immortality (oil on wood) by Flemish School, (17th century); 38.1x48.2 cm; Collection of the New-York Historical Society, USA; eNew York Historical Society; Flemish

The Truant Gamblers, 1835 (oil on canvas)
NYH150021 The Truant Gamblers, 1835 (oil on canvas) by Mount, William Sidney (1807-68); Collection of the New-York Historical Society, USA; eNew York Historical Society; American, out of copyright

God telling Adam to work the land, original capital from the cathedral nave (stone)
XJL146850 God telling Adam to work the land, original capital from the cathedral nave (stone) by French School, (12th century); Cathedral Museum of St

Delftware plate depicting the month of April (tin-glazed earthenware)
CJP146071 Delftware plate depicting the month of April (tin-glazed earthenware) by Dutch School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

King and Queen playing cards (coloured wood engraving)
BNP159925 King and Queen playing cards (coloured wood engraving) by French School, (17th century); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Queen and Jack playing cards (coloured wood engraving)
BNP159927 Queen and Jack playing cards (coloured wood engraving) by French School, (17th century); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Planting trees, from The Dutch Gardener by Johann van der Groen
STC172304 Planting trees, from The Dutch Gardener by Johann van der Groen, published 1699 (engraving) by Dutch School, (17th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Noli me tangere, 16th century (stained glass)
PC84850 Noli me tangere, 16th century (stained glass) by French School, (16th century); Church of St. Patrice, Rouen, France; French, out of copyright

Noli me Tangere, 1581
AII85655 Noli me Tangere, 1581 by Fontana, Lavinia (1552-1614); 81x65 cm; Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, Tuscany, Italy; Italian, out of copyright

In the Woods of Fontainebleau, c. 1890
XAM72448 In the Woods of Fontainebleau, c.1890 by Hormann, Theodor von (1840-95); Wien Museum Karlsplatz, Vienna, Austria; German, out of copyright

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"From Welsh Women Road Builders to Royal Engineers: The Spade's Enduring Legacy" In the heart of South Wales, the spade has long been a symbol of resilience and hard work. It witnessed the determination of Welsh women road builders as they paved their way through challenging terrains, leaving behind a lasting mark on their communities. During World War I, it became an indispensable tool for the Rifle Brigade in their strategic positions along the Western Front. With each dig, these brave soldiers fortified their defenses and protected countless lives amidst the chaos of war. Meanwhile, in literature, it found its place in Sense and Sensibility as a gardener's trusted companion. Just like Elinor Dashwood's beloved Edward Ferrars, this humble implement proved essential for nurturing life and tending to nature's beauty. The it also played a vital role during times of social unrest. In 1921, amidst strikes that shook South Wales' coal industry to its core, it was wielded by determined miners who tirelessly picked coal from waste tips – an act of defiance against adversity. When World War II erupted, it took center stage once again with the iconic "Dig for Victory" poster urging citizens to cultivate victory gardens using this very tool. Its handle became a symbol of hope and self-sufficiency during dark times. Over time, technology evolved but never replaced its significance. A man with a mechanical digger in a muddy field reminded us that progress may change our methods but not our reliance on this timeless instrument. Even our furry friends recognize its importance. Picture No. 11992900 captures a golden retriever proudly holding onto his spade while building sandcastles at the beach – reminding us that even playtime can be enriched by embracing tradition. Beyond physical labor or leisurely pursuits lies another facet tied to paper money itself – French Alarmists saw John Bull clutching banknotes tightly with one hand while gripping his trusty spade with the other.