Variety Collection

The Beatles rehearsing for the Royal Variety Performance
Photo of The Beatles jumping during rehearsal for the Royal Variety Performance Date: 1963

Marine worms, artwork
Marine worms. Historical artwork of a variety of marine polychaetes, also known as bristleworms. Illustration from The Sea (1869) by Matthias Jakob Schleiden

Yantra of the Goddess Pratyangira (recto), Symbol (verso), between c1700 and c1750

Mushrooms
A large number of mushroom varieties. Date: 1913

Sobranie cigarettes advertisement, 1963
Advertisement for Sobranie Cocktail cigarettes, available in a variety of fancy rainbow colours with gold tips - like all the best parties well bred, well dressed and perfectly packed. Date: 1963

Carbolic Smoke Ball / 1893
Advertisement for The Carbolic Smoke Ball Co. which claimed to offer a cure for a wide variety of ailments. This led to a court case on grounds of deception & a landmark ruling

Pictures of various Hindu Gods for sale in Little India, Singapore, South East Asia

English football players in team picture
Leading England football players, wearing a variety of shirts, line up for a team picture

Entomology Specimens
A specimen tray from the Natural History Museums Entomology Department showing the diversity of insects in terms of shape, size and colours

Bristol balloon festival, Bristol, Avon, England, UK, Europe

King Protea (Protea cynaroides), national flower of South Africa, Cape Floristic Region, South Africa, Africa

Variety Theatre, Dr. Walford Bodie
Dr. Walford Bodie 1869 - 1939, One of the most famed and controversial Music Hall performers of his day

Museum of Flight, Seattle, Washington State, United States of America, North America

Traditional hand painted colourful didgeridoos, Australia

A large variety of mushrooms, 1913. Date: 1913

Golfing cartoon
A sequential cartoon showing a patient caddy accompanyinig a tenacious golfer as he tackles a wide variety of clubs and greens

British Butterflies - Various - including: Chalk Hill Blue Butterfly (male), Wood White Butterfly, Purple Hairstreak Butterfly (female), Purple Hairstreak Butterfly (at rest)

Pressed seaweed specimens C016 / 6127
Pressed seaweed specimens collected by women living in Jersey during the 1850s and 1860s

George Walker and Ada Overton Walker in In Dahomey
Miss Ada Overton Walker and Mr George Walker, performing " The Tsar of Dixie" a song in the play In Dahomey at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 1903

The Pearly King and Queen of Thornton Heath
Larry Barnes (1926-2011) - Pearly King of Thornton Heath and one of Variety Theatres last specialist acts

A selection of common British Moths Date: circa 1920s

Programme for the London Palladium
Programme for variety show at the London Palladium, 1932, under the direction of George Black Date: 1932

Africa, Morocco, Marrakech. Moroccan Hand-painted glazed ceramic dishes

Sailors Knots
A variety of knots used by sailors for a variety of purposes. Some run, some slip, others stay put... Date: 1926

Nubians in Ancient Egypt
Nubians from the south bring tribute to the Egyptian Pharaoh; they wear a variety of clothing - skirts short or long, tunics, animal skins, and plumed headgear

Tenebrosa variety of Vanda tricolor hybrid orchid.. Illustration drawn by C. de Bruyne and chromolithographed by P. de Pannemaeker from Lucien Lindens Lindenia, Iconography of Orchids, Brussels, 1903

British RAF aeroplanes in 1939 by G. H. Davis
The huge array of aircraft in the RAF in 1939, imposing for its size and variety

Primula Auricula Hardy Amies - formally number AE84 in The Gordon Collection. Date: circa 1960s

Possession is nine points of the law by Louis Wain
Illustration by Louis Wain showing a cat occupying a cast-off saucepan or cooking pot during snowy weather. A selection of birds, including a magpie and a blue tit bemusedly face the cat

Handbill advertising a performance of Hamlet at the Theatre, Leeds
5917334 Handbill advertising a performance of Hamlet at the Theatre, Leeds, 9th November 1843 (print) by English School

Jaspideum variety of Dendrobium nobile orchid.. Illustration drawn by C. de Bruyne and chromolithographed by P. de Pannemaeker from Lucien Lindens Lindenia, Iconography of Orchids, Brussels, 1902

Different type of Tuscan salami, Tuscany, Italy

Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum)

Variety of pistols, incl Colts Deringer pistol / Peacemaker
A variety of pistols, including Colts Deringer pistol, the Snapchance Revolver, a full-size cartridge

Old Time Music Hall Show
The cast of the Old Time Music Hall show from the City Varieties in Leeds take a bow; the audience, dressed in Victorian and Edwardian costume, are part of the show Date: 1960s

Variety Theatre, Monte Saldo
English born Monte Saldo 1879 - 1949 (real name A. M. Woolaston). Strong-man, Gymnast and also an artists model

Kerria Japonica (Japanese Yellow Rose), a shrub of the Rosaceae family with bright yellow flowers, native to China, Japan and Korea

Souvenir house shaped refrigerator magnets, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Europe

A display of vases at the Qing and Ming Ancient Pottery Factory, Jingdezhen city, Jiangxi Province, China, Asia

Overhead view of the fruit and vegetable market, Pushkar, Rajasthan State, India, Asia

Waterfront at Fowey, Cornwall, England, UK

Persian Musicians
A group of Persian musicians play on a variety of instruments. Below dancing girls perform to the music

Sadlers Wells Interior
Rebuilt in 1765, this developed from a variety hall to a legitimate theatre, often of a spectacular nature as depicted here, with Poseidon riding the waves

April, from Twelve Months of Flowers, 1730 (colour engraving)
986032 April, from Twelve Months of Flowers, 1730 (colour engraving) by Casteels, Pieter (1684-1749) (after); 46.8x29 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: April, from Twelve Months of Flowers)

The Fishmongers Shop

Buffalo Bills Show
BUFFALO BILLs WILD WEST SHOW Bill Codys rough rider extravaganza, featuring scenes of Napoleon, and an onstage artist, Rosa Bonheur

Aussie Cricketers 1893
The Eighth Australian Cricketing Team of 1893 pose in their cricket whites and a variety of caps and blazers

George Formby
Entertainer George Formby (1904-1961) and his wife Beryl Formby, nee Ingham (1901-1960), also a variety artist. Date: 1940

Spice shop at the Wednesday Flea Market in Anjuna, Goa, India, asia

Camera lenses. Seen here (from left to right) are: a wide-angle fixed lens, a standard zoom lens (left), a wide-angle zoom lens (right) and a telephoto lens

Various Arachnids
A variety of insects, including centipede, millipede, woodlouse, scorpion, spiders and ticks

Mate mugs for mate tea, Antique Market, Montevideo, Uruguay, South America

Tulips for sale in the Bloemenmarkt (flower market), Amsterdam, Netherlands, Europe

Souvenirs for sale, Rome, Lazio, Italy, Europe

Traditional Turkish fezes and postcards for sale, Istanbul, Turkey, Europe

Traditional sake barrels at Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo, Japan, Asia

Rasta (Rastafarian) hats on display, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies, Caribbean, Central America

Matryoschka (russian dolls), Moscow, Russia

Autumn leaves

Tulips, Keukenhof Gardens, Netherlands

Boats in harbour, Noirmoutier-en-Ile, Island of Noirmoutier, Vendee, France

Some of the flags of the European Union, La Defense, Paris, France, Europe

Early Bicycles
A variety of early bicycles, including two varieties of the Celerifere of 1793 (1 & 2), the Draisienne (Dandy-Horse) of 1819 (3) and Gompertzs Velocipede (4)

Apple - Egremont Russet - Victorian walled kitchen garden at West Dean Gardens
DAD-1695 Apple - Egremont Russet Victorian walled kitchen garden at West Dean Gardens. UK

Buddha statues in Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia

Victoria Monks / Variety
VICTORIA MONKS Music hall entertainer: Bill Bailey

Welcome signs, Annecy, Haute Savoie, France, Europe

Bluebell flowers
ROG-11516 Bluebell flowers UK Hyacinthoides non-scripta x H. Invasive, alien Bob Gibbons Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Red pincushion protea (Leucospermum cordifolium), Cape flora, Cape Floral Kingdom, South Africa

Page of Victorian adverts - 1890
Various adverts for The Graphic, May 1890. May 1890

Whippets and a King Spaniel, 1837 (oil on canvas)
991599 Whippets and a King Spaniel, 1837 (oil on canvas) by Havell, Edmund Jr (1819-99); 78.7x108 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Whippets and a King Spaniel. Edmund Havell, Jr (1819-1899)

Insects, c1910. Creator: Unknown
Insects, c1910. Insects, invertebrates with exoskeletons, are the most diverse group of animals, over 90% of all animal life forms on Earth are insects

Palaeontology, c1910. Creator: Unknown
Palaeontology, c1910. Palaeontology, the scientific study of life forms existing in the past though examination of fossils, plants, animals, and organisms

Fishes, c1910. Creator: Unknown
Fishes, c1910. Species of vertebrate animals found in fresh and salt waters and almost all aquatic environments

Maude Edwards ventriloquist
Maude Edwards (1886 - 1976), female ventriloquist, with her puppeteered dummy Nobbler, stable boy seated upon her knee. Date: 1905

Muffed Flying Tumblers, Pigeons
A portrait of four sub-variants of the Flying Tumbler pigeon breed. The Flying Tumblers shown is the Black Rose-Wing, the Red Rose-Wing, the Red-Badge and the Black Saddle

Gravesend, Kent
A variety of shipping on the River Thames at Gravesend, Kent. Date: 1825

Cabbages: -Clockwise- Broccoli, Cauiliflower fractal (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica)
Cabbages: -Clockwise- Broccoli, Cauliflower fractal (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica), Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. sabauda), Black cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var)

Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula), Burren, County Clare, Ireland, Europe

Argyle Theatre / Cheshire
in Birkenhead, Cheshire. Reported to be the oldest variety theatre in Britain. Date: 1940s

Beetles and Butterflies
Insects of the English countryside - including Stag Beetle (lucanus), Tiger Beetle (cicindelida) and a variety of butterflies and moths (lepidoptera)

mpire Theatre, Sheffield - Adenhil Presentations Ltd present Sponsored variety - Smedleys Free Week
Theatre night with Smedleys. There is no charge for admission. Invited audience only

Pinks, c1920. Artist: Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Pinks, c1920. From The Studio Volume 86. [London Offices of the Studio, London, 1923]

An Italian Garden, c1903. Artist: George Samuel Elgood
An Italian Garden, c1903. From The Studio Volume 32. [London Offices of the Studio, London, 1904]

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"Embracing the Tapestry of Variety: From Mushrooms to Didgeridoos" Step into a world where variety reigns supreme, where every corner holds a surprise waiting to be discovered. Explore the depths of diversity as we delve into an eclectic mix of wonders that span across time and continents. Transport yourself back to 1893, when the Carbolic Smoke Ball took center stage, captivating audiences with its innovative approach. Fast forward to George Formby's era, where his infectious tunes brought joy and laughter to all who listened. Venture into Little India, where vibrant pictures of Hindu Gods adorn market stalls, showcasing the rich tapestry of beliefs and traditions. In contrast, English football players unite in a team picture, representing unity amidst their diverse backgrounds. Marvel at the grandeur of London Palladium's programme; it encapsulates performances from all walks of life – a true testament to artistic variety. Journey through time with Sobranie cigarettes' advertisement from 1963; it captures an era when smoking was seen as glamorous and sophisticated. Delve deeper into nature's intricacies with entomology specimens that showcase the astonishing array of insect life. Pressed seaweed specimens C016 / 6127 offer glimpses into underwater worlds teeming with color and beauty. Take flight at Bristol Balloon Festival in Avon, England – witness hot air balloons painting the sky in vivid hues against picturesque landscapes. Finally, travel Down Under and immerse yourself in Australia's cultural heritage through traditional hand-painted didgeridoos bursting with vibrant colors. But perhaps nothing epitomizes variety more than a collection capturing "A Large Variety of Mushrooms" from 1913 – each unique shape and shade tells its own story within nature's vast kingdom. In this mosaic-like world filled with endless possibilities, let us celebrate diversity in all its forms – for it is through embracing our differences that we truly come alive.