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Topical Press Agency Collection

Early 20th Century images captured by one of the leading photo agency of the time

Choose a picture from our Topical Press Agency Collection for your Wall Art and Photo Gifts

Often known simply as Topical, the Agency was founded c.1903 by Mr J.B. Helsby & Mr Walter J. Edward and was one of the leading photo agencies in London in the early twentieth-century. This is an amazing collection of historical black & white art prints taken by Topical photographers who captured images of contemporary events and stock footage that was syndicated to newspapers and publishers around the world.

4,041 items

We are proud to offer this selection in partnership with Fine Art Storehouse

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: The bow of Sir Ernest Shackletons exploratory vessel SS Endurance

The bow of Sir Ernest Shackletons exploratory vessel SS Endurance
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 1914: The bow of Sir Ernest Shackletons exploratory vessel SS Endurance being prepared for her Antarctic voyage in Millwall Docks, London, England

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Wellington Bombers

Wellington Bombers
8th February 1940: A flight of Vickers Wellington long range bombers, used by the Royal Air Force to undertake raids into Germany and elsewhere. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Shire Horse

Shire Horse
23rd February 1926: A Shire Horse groomed for a show at the Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington. (Photo by Kirby/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Golf Caddies

Golf Caddies
9th April 1929: Mrs Edge and her daughter with their two young caddies during a practice game. (Photo by Edward G. Malindine/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Everton FC Supporters

Everton FC Supporters and their young mascot, who is holding a Dixie Dean sign, arrive at Londons Euston Station, to see the 4th round FA Cup tie match with Arsenal FC at Highbury. Arsenal won 4-3

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: HMS Hood at Table Bay in Cape Town with the HMS Repulse behind

HMS Hood at Table Bay in Cape Town with the HMS Repulse behind
The HMS Hood at Table Bay in Cape Town with the HMS Repulse behind, January 1924. The Special Service Squadron are on a tour around the world

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: St Thomas Hospital

St Thomas Hospital
August 1919: St Thomas Hospital on the south bank of the River Thames, London. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Hop Pickers

Hop Pickers
Hop pickers using stilts on a farm at Wateringbury in Kent, August 1928. (Photo by Crouch/Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: British Battleship HMS Rodney

British Battleship HMS Rodney
The newly-launched British battleship HMS Rodney leaving the Cammell Laird shipyard at Birkenhead, Merseyside for Portsmouth, 13th August 1927. (Photo by H. F)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Fulham FC Supporters

Fulham FC Supporters
31st January 1925: Fulham FC Supporters leaving Paddington Station to see the match against Cardiff City FC. (Photo by Davis Jr/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Milk Cart

Milk Cart
A horse drawn milk cart

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Blackpool Station

Blackpool Station
9th July 1934: The Fylde Coast Express leaving Blackpool Station on its inaugural trip to London. Blackpool Tower is in the background. (Photo by E. Dean/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Leeds City Square

Leeds City Square
The City Square, Leeds, Yorkshire, July 1921. A steam engine is being used by road-menders, at centre-right. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Battersea Power Station Silhouette

Battersea Power Station Silhouette
25th January 1954: Battersea power station in London. With dimensions of 160m x 170m, the roof of the boiler house 50m tall, and its four 103m tall, tapering chimneys

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Silver Link Locomotive

Silver Link Locomotive
The new LNER Class A4 2509 Silver Link steam locomotive, 16th September 1935. The streamlined locomotive will pull the Silver Jubilee express between London and Newcastle

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Yachts Sailing

Yachts Sailing
August 1928: Yachts Cambria and Britannia (King George Vs yacht) competing in the Royal Regatta at Cowes. (Photo by Puttnam /London Express/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Speedy Tractor

Speedy Tractor
19th September 1946: Demonstrating a new Ferguson tractor and ploughshare, the latter can be raised from the drivers seat enabling the tractor to be driven along a road of speeds up to 30mph

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Isle of Man TT

Isle of Man TT
4th June 1913: Tom Peek on a Peelers and W Creyton on an Ariel passing through Kirk Michael village during the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Race. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: SS Endurance leaving Millwall Docks

SS Endurance leaving Millwall Docks
August 01, 1914: Irish explorer Sir Ernest Shackletons ship SS Endurance after leaving Millwall Docks, bound for the Antarctic. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Passenger Porter

Passenger Porter
26th October 1907: A porter at the ready at a London, Tilbury and Southend Railway station. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Benito Mussolini Portrait 1925

Benito Mussolini Portrait 1925
12th November 1925: Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini (1883 - 1945). (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Race At St Moritz

Race At St Moritz
1908: Skeleton competitors with their toboggans at the start of the Cresta Run, St Moritz. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Marylebone Station

Marylebone Station
June 1921: The interior of Marylebone station in London which belongs to the Great Central Railway. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough
Blast furnaces near the River Tees in Middlesbrough, 1912. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: High Street Cheltenham

High Street Cheltenham
Cheltenham High Street, Gloucestershire, May 1913. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: William Blakes House

William Blakes House
20th October 1913: A plaque on Number 13 Hercules Buildings in Lambeth informs visitors that it was the home of English painter and poet William Blake from 1793 until 1800

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Law Society Building in Chancery Lane, London

Law Society Building in Chancery Lane, London
19th July 1950: Law Society Building in Chancery Lane, London. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Fly Past

Fly Past
31st May 1956: Shackletons of RAF Coastal Command at a Fly Past over Buckingham Palace at the ceremony of Trooping the Colour. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: R101 Airship

R101 Airship
2nd October 1929: An R101 Airship in its hangar at Cardington, Bedfordshire. (Photo by Puttnam /Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Potatoes For Sale

Potatoes For Sale
23rd November 1928: A display of potatoes at the stand of James Ruane & Sons at Spitalfields Market. (Photo by J. Gaiger/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Ulster Says No

Ulster Says No
1st September 1912: Unionists from district Orange Lodges march to the Manor House Grounds, Coleraine, County Derry, in an Anti-Home Rule demonstration. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Nice Riviera

Nice Riviera
The Nice riviera, in southern France, April 1922. The seafront at the little town of Nice became known as " La Promenade des Anglais"

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Southampton Dock

Southampton Dock
20th June 1928: An aerial view of Southampton Dock. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Empress Of Canada

Empress Of Canada
17th July 1947: The Canadian Pacific liner Empress of Canada at Liverpool just before she departs on her first post-war voyage to Canada, the first vessel to resume service on this route

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: SS Terra Nova

SS Terra Nova
11th February 1913: A photgraph of the SS Terra Nova used by Captain Robert Falcon Scott on his ill-fated Antarctic expedtion to the South Pole, and signed by him

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Oxford Oarsmen

Oxford Oarsmen
March 1908: The Oxford University rowing crew seen from Hammersmith Bridge during the Varsity Boat Race against Cambridge on the River Thames, London. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: RMS Celtic

RMS Celtic
The White Star liner RMS Celtic, circa 1913. She was launched in 1901 and ran aground off Queenstown in 1928. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Nottingham Victoria Railway Station

Nottingham Victoria Railway Station
A view of Nottingham Victoria railway station, April 1927. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Nottingham Victoria Station

Nottingham Victoria Station
Victoria Railway Station in Nottingham, April 1927. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: The Flying Scotsman

The Flying Scotsman
1929: The locomotive engine the Flying Scotsman leaving Kings Cross Station, London, for its 392-mile run to Scotland. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Wath Station

Wath Station
circa 1912: A view of the station at Wath on Dearne. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Boat Race

Boat Race
3rd July 1929: Thames Rowing Club beating Courtenay Lodge Rowing Club in the Wyfold cup race on the first day of the Henley regatta in Oxfordshire. (Photo by Edward G)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Laconia

Laconia
1st April 1923: The Cunard ship Laconia at the dockside, Alexandria. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: 37 Jane Street

37 Jane Street
A newly painted house in Jane Street, Stepney, east London, contrasts with the dilapidated buildings on either side, 25th September 1956

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Olympic Henley

Olympic Henley
Street decorations in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, as the town hosts the rowing events of the London Olympic Games, July 1908. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: R101

R101
4th October 1930: R101 at its moorings in Cardington, Bedfordshire prior to its departure for India. It crashed en-route. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: SS Caronia

SS Caronia
September 1919: The Cunard White Star liner Caronia at Tilbury docks in Essex. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Zebra Power

Zebra Power
A zebra and trap and a London tram vie for business in Brixton. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)



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Why Choose Us?

We are a leading provider of Art Prints and Photo Gifts since 2003, working in partnership with a range of Sporting Clubs, Charities, Museums and Picture Libraries. A large share of profits from any of their images will go directly towards supporting that charity or club. Our archive of images is carefully curated to bring you a wide range of subjects, including landscapes, wildlife, architecture, and more. We ship from our partner labs in the UK, USA, EU (Netherlands) and Australia.
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For quick and easy installation all wall art, including framed prints, canvas prints and metal prints are supplied with a ready to hang solution on the back. Generally, saw tooth hangers are applied as they allow wall art to hang flush against the wall. The serrated edge of the hanger prevents the frame from shifting or tilting when hung.
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Are the photo prints fade resistant?

Yes, we use archival quality photo paper photographic paper for vivid reproduction Prints are an accurate representations of the original artwork, which is preserved for artistic character and authenticity. We guarantee they match previews shown on our web site