Skip to main content

Special Refuse Collector Collection

In the midst of war sonnets and cans left by Germans after the Battle of Ardennes in January 1945, a special refuse collector emerges

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Mr Whiteley's design for central heating and hot water system

Mr Whiteley's design for central heating and hot water system
5307929 Mr Whiteley's design for central heating and hot water system.; (add.info.: Illustration depicting Mr Whiteley's design for central heating)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Refuse collection, Sheffield (b/w photo)

Refuse collection, Sheffield (b/w photo)
8635905 Refuse collection, Sheffield (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Refuse collection, Sheffield, Yorkshire)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Turbines on the Portrush railway, Ireland

Turbines on the Portrush railway, Ireland
5311972 Turbines on the Portrush railway, Ireland; (add.info.: Engraving depicting turbines on the Portrush railway, Ireland. This was the first railway to be powered by hydroelectricity)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Itinerant fishwoman with basket of sprats on her head, and a Dustman with bell collecting dust

Itinerant fishwoman with basket of sprats on her head, and a Dustman with bell collecting dust
FLO4688672 Itinerant fishwoman with basket of sprats on her head, and a Dustman with bell collecting dust, ashes and other household waste

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Saving waste paper for the war effort, World War II (b/w photo)

Saving waste paper for the war effort, World War II (b/w photo)
8672638 Saving waste paper for the war effort, World War II (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Saving waste paper for the war effort, World War II)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: The Rabshakeh before the Walls of Jerusalem, 701 BC (litho)

The Rabshakeh before the Walls of Jerusalem, 701 BC (litho)
8661278 The Rabshakeh before the Walls of Jerusalem, 701 BC (litho) by Villegas y Cordero, Jose (1844-1921) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Rabshakeh before the Walls of Jerusalem)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Recycling machine in Westminster, London, 1920s (litho)

Recycling machine in Westminster, London, 1920s (litho)
8642582 Recycling machine in Westminster, London, 1920s (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Recycling machine in Westminster, London, 1920s)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Recycling machine in Westminster, London, 1920s (litho)

Recycling machine in Westminster, London, 1920s (litho)
8641520 Recycling machine in Westminster, London, 1920s (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Recycling machine in Westminster, London, 1920s)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Recycling machine in Westminster, London, 1920s (litho)

Recycling machine in Westminster, London, 1920s (litho)
8641519 Recycling machine in Westminster, London, 1920s (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Recycling machine in Westminster, London, 1920s)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Sewage system of a modern city, Schoeneberg, Germany (colour litho)

Sewage system of a modern city, Schoeneberg, Germany (colour litho)
8663662 Sewage system of a modern city, Schoeneberg, Germany (colour litho) by Dressel, August (b.1862) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sewage system of a modern city, Schoeneberg, Germany)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Where the Feathers Go (litho)

Where the Feathers Go (litho)
8663503 Where the Feathers Go (litho) by Poy (Percy Hutton Fearon) (1874-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: Where the Feathers Go)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Votaries of the Weed No 46 (colour litho)

Votaries of the Weed No 46 (colour litho)
8660533 Votaries of the Weed No 46 (colour litho) by Clarke, Joseph Clayton (Kyd) (1856-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: Votaries of the Weed, No 46)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: The Jumble Man (litho)

The Jumble Man (litho)
8636075 The Jumble Man (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Jumble Man. Illustration for Panpipes magazine, November 1923)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: The process of collecting manure in a farmyard

The process of collecting manure in a farmyard
5307481 The process of collecting manure in a farmyard.; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the process of collecting manure in a farmyard)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Lost time (colour litho)

Lost time (colour litho)
8633163 Lost time (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Lost time. Illustration for The Children's Friend (1900).); © Look and Learn

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Recycling machine in Westminster, London, 1920s (litho)

Recycling machine in Westminster, London, 1920s (litho)
8641521 Recycling machine in Westminster, London, 1920s (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Recycling machine in Westminster, London, 1920s)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Transport (litho)

Transport (litho)
8663504 Transport (litho) by Poy (Percy Hutton Fearon) (1874-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: Transport. Eric: "I don't see why it shouldn't work)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: War sonnets

War sonnets
908908 War sonnets by Tennant, C. Dudley (1867-1952); (add.info.: Poems of Passion and Pleasure published by Gay Hancock circa 1920)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Cans left by Germans after the Battle of Ardennes, January 1945

Cans left by Germans after the Battle of Ardennes, January 1945
1720407 Cans left by Germans after the Battle of Ardennes, January 1945 by Unknown photographer, (20th century); (add.info.: Cans left by Germans after battle of Ardennes january 1945)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Scene from the satire, Ship of Fools by Sebastian Brant (woodcut)

Scene from the satire, Ship of Fools by Sebastian Brant (woodcut)
7201464 Scene from the satire, Ship of Fools by Sebastian Brant (woodcut) by German School, (16th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Scene from the satire Ship of Fools)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Satire depicting minstrels serenading a woman (woodcut)

Satire depicting minstrels serenading a woman (woodcut)
7201465 Satire depicting minstrels serenading a woman (woodcut) by German School, (16th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Satire depicting minstrels serenading a woman)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Decombres; Rubbish; Schutt (engraving)

Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Decombres; Rubbish; Schutt (engraving)
7195703 Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Decombres; Rubbish; Schutt (engraving) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Decombres; Rubbish; Schutt)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: It is a pity to waste bread in time of dearth (engraving)

It is a pity to waste bread in time of dearth (engraving)
3634826 It is a pity to waste bread in time of dearth (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: It is a pity to waste bread in time of dearth)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Shakespeare in his study (litho)

Shakespeare in his study (litho)
3643524 Shakespeare in his study (litho) by Sullivan, Edmund Joseph (1869-1933) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Shakespeare in his study)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Depiction of the month of February (colour litho)

Depiction of the month of February (colour litho)
961078 Depiction of the month of February (colour litho) by Dudley, Robert (fl.1865-91) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Depiction of the month of February)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: In The Hands Of The Philistines (engraving)

In The Hands Of The Philistines (engraving)
1064614 In The Hands Of The Philistines (engraving) by Dadd, Frank (1851-1929) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: In The Hands Of The Philistines)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Kitchen Warfare. Advertisement for Birds Custard Powder (litho)

Kitchen Warfare. Advertisement for Birds Custard Powder (litho)
2775530 Kitchen Warfare. Advertisement for Birds Custard Powder (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Kitchen Warfare)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: The Lucky Charms Pile (Colour Litho)

The Lucky Charms Pile (Colour Litho)
2777952 The Lucky Charms Pile (Colour Litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: The pile of good luck charms)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: The Muffin Boy (engraving)

The Muffin Boy (engraving)
3626035 The Muffin Boy (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Muffin Boy. Illustration for Chatterbox (1868)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: In London Sewers (engraving)

In London Sewers (engraving)
3642536 In London Sewers (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: In London Sewers. Illustration for The Boys Own Annual, 1881.); © Look and Learn

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: St Georges Park, Pearsons Conservatory (b / w photo)

St Georges Park, Pearsons Conservatory (b / w photo)
3092378 St Georges Park, Pearsons Conservatory (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: St Georges Park, Pearsons Conservatory)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: The Dustman (engraving)

The Dustman (engraving)
2799846 The Dustman (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Dustman. Illustration for Walks In and Around London by Uncle Jonathan (Charles H Kelly)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Christmas card with red belt (chromolitho)

Christmas card with red belt (chromolitho)
731677 Christmas card with red belt (chromolitho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Christmas card with red belt)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: A Tale in Four Stories (engraving)

A Tale in Four Stories (engraving)
1590853 A Tale in Four Stories (engraving) by Furniss, Harry (1854-1925) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Tale in Four Stories)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Pollution in the River Thames, London (colour litho)

Pollution in the River Thames, London (colour litho)
5999982 Pollution in the River Thames, London (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Pollution in the River Thames, London)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: Greed (chromolitho)

Greed (chromolitho)
2803473 Greed (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Greed. Educational card, late 19th century.); © Look and Learn

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector Collection: A London Dust-Yard (engraving)

A London Dust-Yard (engraving)
1105210 A London Dust-Yard (engraving) by Buckman, Edwin (1841-1930); Private Collection; (add.info.: A London Dust-Yard. Illustration for The Illustrated London News)

Background imageSpecial Refuse Collector 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 imageSpecial Refuse Collector 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 imageSpecial Refuse Collector 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 imageSpecial Refuse Collector 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 imageSpecial Refuse Collector 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 imageSpecial Refuse Collector 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 imageSpecial Refuse Collector 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)




For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

In the midst of war sonnets and cans left by Germans after the Battle of Ardennes in January 1945, a special refuse collector emerges. This enigmatic figure traverses through time, collecting not only physical waste but also societal discards. A scene from Sebastian Brant's satire, Ship of Fools, comes to life as minstrels serenade a woman with their melodic tunes. The refuse collector observes this spectacle, recognizing the irony within society's misplaced priorities. Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Decombres; Rubbish; Schutt engraving captures the essence of this unique profession - sorting through discarded fragments to find hidden treasures amidst chaos. Amidst scarcity and hardship depicted in "It is a pity to waste bread in time of dearth" engraving, our special refuse collector becomes an emblematic symbol of resourcefulness and resilience. Shakespeare himself finds solace in his study as our protagonist sifts through literary remnants left behind by great minds. In this moment, past meets present as timeless wisdom intertwines with forgotten pages. The depiction of February in vibrant color litho showcases how even within mundane routines lies beauty waiting to be discovered by those who dare to see beyond surface appearances. "In The Hands Of The Philistines" engraving serves as a stark reminder that art can easily fall victim to ignorance if not preserved and cherished. Our special refuse collector stands tall against such destruction, safeguarding cultural heritage one piece at a time. Kitchen Warfare takes on new meaning when an advertisement for Birds Custard Powder litho reveals how everyday objects become battlegrounds for culinary conquests. Our hero salvages these relics from epicurean clashes fought over stoves and ovens. Amongst piles of discarded items lies The Lucky Charms Pile -a colorful testament to human desires for luck and fortune. Our special refuse collector recognizes that sometimes what we discard holds more value than what we keep.