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Swimsuit Collection (#11)

From vintage pin-ups to modern beach babes, the swimsuit has always been a symbol of style and freedom

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Comic postcard, Woman bathing in the sea Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Woman bathing in the sea Date: 20th century

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Two Women Racing Mackerels at the Beach, 1920s (screen print)

Two Women Racing Mackerels at the Beach, 1920s (screen print)
3036420 Two Women Racing Mackerels at the Beach, 1920s (screen print) by American School, (20th century); (add.info.: Whimsical vintage print of two women in swimsuits racing Atlantic mackerels)

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Young woman and dog in a garden

Young woman and dog in a garden
Young woman in bathing costume and sombrero in a garden with a dog. Date: circa 1930s

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Comic postcard, Man paddling in the sea

Comic postcard, Man paddling in the sea. I can t swim, but I m not afraid - I ve got a floating kidney! Date: 20th century

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Comic postcard, Four pairs of legs paddling in the sea

Comic postcard, Four pairs of legs paddling in the sea. Why don t you come and mingle your tooties [tootsies] with ours? Date: 20th century

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Comic postcard, Shy man with pretty women on the beach

Comic postcard, Shy man with pretty women on the beach
Comic postcard, Shy man with three pretty women on the beach. This place gets me rather flustered, the sea is salt, but the girls are mustard! Date: 20th century

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Comic postcard, Plump couple paddling in the sea

Comic postcard, Plump couple paddling in the sea. Life only begins when you come down here! Date: 20th century

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Comic postcard, Plump man on the beach

Comic postcard, Plump man on the beach. Look at me after a week here - and I came down for my rheumatism too! Date: 20th century

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Comic postcard, Man and two pretty women drinking at an outdoor cafe - taking advantage of m

Comic postcard, Man and two pretty women drinking at an outdoor cafe - taking advantage of m
Comic postcard, Man and two pretty women drinking at an outdoor caf - taking advantage of me! Date: 20th century

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Comic postcard, Dangerous curves at the seaside Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Dangerous curves at the seaside Date: 20th century

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Comic postcard, policeman on the beach Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, policeman on the beach Date: 20th century

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Comic postcard, couple bathing in the sea

Comic postcard, couple bathing in the sea Date: 20th century

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Dalys Girls enjoying themselves at the swimming baths. Standing (left to right)

Dalys Girls enjoying themselves at the swimming baths. Standing (left to right): The Misses Stella Riga, Jean Stirling, Veda Le Grand and Irene Flower

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Comic Seaside Postcard - I Can t See My Little Johnny

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

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: The Venus of the Seas

The Venus of the Seas
France - The Venus of the Seas - a young woman in a red swimsuit enjoying a spot of Water skiing. Date: circa 1930s

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Ruth Woods wears a simple wool jersey swim suit designed by Claire McCardell at a fashion

Ruth Woods wears a simple wool jersey swim suit designed by Claire McCardell at a fashion show arranged by the New York Times. Date: 1945

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Gloriously joyous photograph showing three women on the beach

Gloriously joyous photograph showing three women on the beach. While two younger women in their swimming costumes giggle as they pose in front of a beach hut

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Shop window design, holidays

Shop window design, holidays. 1937

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Royal Engineers Aquatic Sports Champions, Malta

Royal Engineers Aquatic Sports Champions, Malta
Royal Engineers Aquatic Sports Champions, No. 1 Section, Fortress Company, Malta, with trophy and cups on display. 1934

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Cover of 'L Indiscret', Satirique en N & B, 1902_8_13: Leisure

Cover of "L Indiscret", Satirique en N & B, 1902_8_13: Leisure
ICA4937741 Cover of " L Indiscret", Satirique en N & B, 1902_8_13: Leisure, Maritime Marine Nautique Balneaire - by Radiguet, Maurice (1866-1941); Photo eCaricadoc; French, out of copyright

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Illustration of Abel Faivre (1867-1945) for the Blanket of Le Rire, 1895-8-17 - Leisure

Illustration of Abel Faivre (1867-1945) for the Blanket of Le Rire, 1895-8-17 - Leisure
ICA4868863 Illustration of Abel Faivre (1867-1945) for the Blanket of Le Rire, 1895-8-17 - Leisure, Fashion, Maritime Marine Seaside, Swimsuit, Nudite, Beach by Faivre

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Illustration of Marcel Capy (1865-1941) in Le Lire, 24 / 08 / 12 - How to do it

Illustration of Marcel Capy (1865-1941) in Le Lire, 24 / 08 / 12 - How to do it
ICA4865170 Illustration of Marcel Capy (1865-1941) in Le Lire, 24/08/12 - How to do it? - Leisure, Architecture Urban Planning, Marine Marine Seaside, Swimming Swimming Swimming, Crowd by Capy

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: The Five Bathers Painting by Paul Cezanne (1839-1906) 1875 Sun

The Five Bathers Painting by Paul Cezanne (1839-1906) 1875 Sun
JLJ4680152 The Five Bathers Painting by Paul Cezanne (1839-1906) 1875 Sun. 0, 24x0, 25 m Paris, Musee d Orsay by Cezanne, Paul (1839-1906); Musee d Orsay, Paris

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: History of the seaside town: a mother giving her first sea bath to her child calls

History of the seaside town: a mother giving her first sea bath to her child calls
XEE4188213 History of the seaside town: a mother giving her first sea bath to her child calls, during their holidays. Cover of " Le petit journal" from 18/07/1920

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: The pleasures of the seaside: children in swimsuits having fun fishing in the sea

The pleasures of the seaside: children in swimsuits having fun fishing in the sea
XEE4187120 The pleasures of the seaside: children in swimsuits having fun fishing in the sea. One of them gets his foot pinched by a crab

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: A bold and feminine sport: two girls in swimsuit rotating inside a wheel that moves by

A bold and feminine sport: two girls in swimsuit rotating inside a wheel that moves by
XEE4186297 A bold and feminine sport: two girls in swimsuit rotating inside a wheel that moves by their own strength. In " L illustrious du petit Journal" of 1937

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Young Romans engaged in physical exercises. They wear a loincloth around the kidneys

Young Romans engaged in physical exercises. They wear a loincloth around the kidneys
LSE4429408 Young Romans engaged in physical exercises. They wear a loincloth around the kidneys and a strophium (ancetra of the bra) on the chest. A loaf around the kidneys

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Cartoon about people at sea. 'Holy miser ed Gueux

Cartoon about people at sea. "Holy miser ed Gueux
XEE4166762 Cartoon about people at sea. " Holy miser ed Gueux! is therefore written that I cannot, for once, take our bath san etr wet!!! "

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Advertising to get to Ostend (Belgium) from Paris: Ostend: 5 hours from Paris, c

Advertising to get to Ostend (Belgium) from Paris: Ostend: 5 hours from Paris, c
LSE4111484 Advertising to get to Ostend (Belgium) from Paris: Ostend: 5 hours from Paris, c.1900 (chromolithograph) by French School

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Swimming school - in 'Paintings of Paris'by Marlet, 19th century

Swimming school - in "Paintings of Paris"by Marlet, 19th century
LSE4100693 Swimming school - in " Paintings of Paris" by Marlet, 19th century by Marlet, Jean Henri (1771-1847); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Cartoon on French society by Lavrate: public baths, 1880

Cartoon on French society by Lavrate: public baths, 1880
LSE4087953 Cartoon on French society by Lavrate: public baths, 1880. by Lavrate, Edmond (1829-1888); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cartoon on French society by Lavrate: public baths)

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Advertising of the railway of the North: Ostend, 5 hours of Paris, sd. late 19th century

Advertising of the railway of the North: Ostend, 5 hours of Paris, sd. late 19th century
LSE4094981 Advertising of the railway of the North: Ostend, 5 hours of Paris, sd. late 19th century by Unknown Artist, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: The Striped Blazer, (watercolour and pencil on buff paper)

The Striped Blazer, (watercolour and pencil on buff paper)
985421 The Striped Blazer, (watercolour and pencil on buff paper) by Demuth, Charles (1883-1935); 28x21.7 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: The Striped Blazer. Charles Demuth (1883-1935)

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Bathers at Breakwater, (oil on canvas)

Bathers at Breakwater, (oil on canvas)
985253 Bathers at Breakwater, (oil on canvas) by Potthast, Edward Henry (1857-1927); 61x76.2 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Bathers at Breakwater. Edward Henry Potthast (1857-1927)

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Outdoor Swimming Pool, (oil on canvas)

Outdoor Swimming Pool, (oil on canvas)
984948 Outdoor Swimming Pool, (oil on canvas) by Glackens, William James (1870-1938); 45.8x61 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Outdoor Swimming Pool. William James Glackens (1870-1938)

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: At Treport Beach, c. 1939 (oil on canvas)

At Treport Beach, c. 1939 (oil on canvas)
1769116 At Treport Beach, c.1939 (oil on canvas) by Luce, Maximilien (1858-1941); 49.2x65.1 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: At Treport Beach. Maximilien Luce (1858-1941). Oil on canvas

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Beach Scene, (oil on panel)

Beach Scene, (oil on panel)
1767326 Beach Scene, (oil on panel) by Potthast, Edward Henry (1857-1927); 31.8x40.6 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Beach Scene. Edward Henry Potthast (1857-1927). Oil on panel

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: The Beach, Newport, c. 1919 (oil on panel)

The Beach, Newport, c. 1919 (oil on panel)
650959 The Beach, Newport, c.1919 (oil on panel) by Bellows, George Wesley (1882-1925); 66x81.2 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: The Beach, Newport. George Wesley Bellows (1882-1925)

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Woman in a bathing costume: saucy seaside postcard (chromolitho)

Woman in a bathing costume: saucy seaside postcard (chromolitho)
5995957 Woman in a bathing costume: saucy seaside postcard (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Woman in a bathing costume: saucy seaside postcard)

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: The Surfing Girl

The Surfing Girl
Riding the Bubbling Breakers - The Surfing Girl in South Africa. Date: 1926

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Building sand castles on the beach (chromolitho)

Building sand castles on the beach (chromolitho)
6001887 Building sand castles on the beach (chromolitho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Building sand castles on the beach)

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: A summer afternoon at Coney Island (litho)

A summer afternoon at Coney Island (litho)
6001750 A summer afternoon at Coney Island (litho) by Sarg, Tony (1880-1942); Private Collection; (add.info.: A summer afternoon at Coney Island)

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Two lovers drawing hearts in the sand at the beach (litho)

Two lovers drawing hearts in the sand at the beach (litho)
6001433 Two lovers drawing hearts in the sand at the beach (litho) by Fisher, Harrison (1875-1934); Private Collection; (add.info.: Two lovers drawing hearts in the sand at the beach)

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Annette Kellerman

Annette Kellerman
Annette Marie Sarah Kellerman (1886 - 1975), Australian swimmer, film star, and writer. One of the first women to wear a one-piece bathing costume, causing a minor scandal at the time

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Lady Lettice Lygon by Olive Snell

Lady Lettice Lygon by Olive Snell
Lady Lettice Cotterell (nÚÑáLygon) (1906-1973), Wife of Sir Richard Charles Geers Cotterell, 5th Bt; daughter of 7th Earl Beauchamp. Lygon family possible inspiration for Waughs Brideshead Revisited

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Advert for Elizabeth Arden sun cream 1934

Advert for Elizabeth Arden sun cream 1934
Advertisement for sunbathing products by Elizabeth Arden including her Ardena Sunpruf Cream for protection and Velva Beauty Film to make you appear tanned and chic

Background imageSwimsuit Collection: Wish You Were Here, musical comedy, London Casino

Wish You Were Here, musical comedy, London Casino
Jack Hylton presents Wish You Were Here, a new musical comedy at the London Casino. 1954




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From vintage pin-ups to modern beach babes, the swimsuit has always been a symbol of style and freedom. In 1922, a child wearing a swim cap sits in the surf, capturing the innocence and joy of summer days. Fast forward to World War II, where an American actress becomes the most popular pin-up photograph for our brave armed forces. Margarita Cansino, later known as Rita Hayworth, mesmerizes audiences with her beauty and talent as an actress and dancer. A 1940s-style Navy pin-up girl strikes a pose next to a vintage Corsair aircraft, embodying both glamour and patriotism. Even cigarette ads couldn't resist featuring swimsuit-clad women like Wills Gold Flake's glamorous young smoker. The allure of the French Riviera beckons all year round in an enticing poster that promises sun-soaked adventures. In 1938's Pickaback Beach Delight, friends frolic on sandy shores while enjoying each other's company. Meanwhile, Audi Quattro showcases its German engineering prowess against stunning coastal backdrops. Beauty knows no bounds as contestants line up for Miss County of Cornwall beauty contest; their confidence radiates through their swimsuits. Annie Matthews breaks barriers as a woman police officer patrolling Hyde Park in London - proving that strength comes in many forms. The beaches at Cannes become playgrounds for relaxation and luxury under the warm Mediterranean sun. And who can resist Ipanema's charm? A young Brazilian woman stands proudly on Arpoador rocks overlooking this iconic beachscape. Through history and across cultures, the swimsuit remains timeless - embracing individuality while celebrating fun in the sun.