Darby Collection

sleeping on Blackpool prom
An elderly couple lie back on the wrought iron seats on Blackpool Pier for a snooze. The beach and Blackpool Tower are in the background. Date: circa 1970

The worlds first Ironbridge built by Abraham Darby over the River Severn at Ironbridge Gorge, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shropshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Victors of the Nile, 1803 (engraving)
3244739 Victors of the Nile, 1803 (engraving) by Bromley, William I (1769-1842); National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth, Hampshire

ABRAHAM DARBY (1678-1717). English ironmaster. Darby at his forge and the discovery of cast iron. Etching, English, 19th century

Old Darby with empty tankard and Joan with her tobacco pipe. Copperplate engraving after a satirical illustration by
FLO4718042 Old Darby with empty tankard and Joan with her tobacco pipe. Copperplate engraving after a satirical illustration by Timothy Bobbin (John Collier) (1708-1786)

Mary Robinson nee Darby, 1757 to 1800. English poet, actress and novelist
2915285 Mary Robinson nee Darby, 1757 to 1800. English poet, actress and novelist, aka The English Sappho and for her role as Perdita

Abraham Darby III's iron bridge across the Severn at Ironbridge, Coalbrookdale, England
530303 Abraham Darby III's iron bridge across the Severn at Ironbridge, Coalbrookdale, England. First iron bridge in world, built between 1776 and 1779

Mr Bumble refusing Darby and Joan entry to the Workhouse together. Men and women were housed in separate wards
527877 Mr Bumble refusing Darby and Joan entry to the Workhouse together. Men and women were housed in separate wards and old couples were reluctant to spend their last days apart

Mary Robinson nee Darby, 1757 to 1800. English poet, actress and novelist
2968380 Mary Robinson nee Darby, 1757 to 1800. English poet, actress and novelist, aka The English Sappho and for her role as Perdita

Abraham Darby III's iron bridge across the Severn at Ironbridge, Coalbrookdale, England
530302 Abraham Darby III's iron bridge across the Severn at Ironbridge, Coalbrookdale, England. First iron bridge in world, built between 1776 and 1779

Fireworks at the Merchant Seamen's Orphan Asylum, Bow-Road, on Tuesday, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Fireworks at the Merchant Seamen's Orphan Asylum, Bow-Road [in London], on Tuesday, 1850....the Committee of this excellent Charity...provided for the subscribers

Old couple in deck chairs, Great Yarmouth, England
An elderly couple sit in deck chairs in a promenade shelter at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England. He reads the newspaper and wears a knotted handkerchief on his head. She sleeps soundly Date: 1992

advertising, household, match label, trademark Darby & Joan, Ideal for the home and the smoker, ADDITIONAL-RIGHTS-CLEARANCE-INFO-NOT-AVAILABLE Additional-Rights-Clearance-Info-Not-Available

Markly, 1835. Creator: Charles Mottram
Markly, (1835). Markly House, Warbleton, Sussex, ancestral home of the Darby family. John Darby was said to have profited as a merchant from naval contracts in the Napoleonic wars

Darby's Pale Ale

Darby's Dinner Ale

Darby and Joan (engraving)
3634784 Darby and Joan (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Darby and Joan. Illustration for Chatterbox, 1888)

The Derby Day, Sketches on the Road (engraving)
1623366 The Derby Day, Sketches on the Road (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Derby Day, Sketches on the Road)

Darby and Joan (colour litho)
971755 Darby and Joan (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Darby and Joan, a proverbial phrase for a married couple content to share a quiet life of)

"Darby and Joan", in the Exhibition at the Dudley Gallery (engraving)
1589954 " Darby and Joan", in the Exhibition at the Dudley Gallery (engraving) by Greenaway, Kate (1846-1901) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: " Darby and Joan")

Darby and Joan (litho)
1598111 Darby and Joan (litho) by Moody, Fannie (b.1861-97); Private Collection; (add.info.: Darby and Joan. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 13 November 1897)

Mrs. Robinson as Perdita, ca. 1779. Creator: Richard Cosway
Mrs. Robinson as Perdita, ca. 1779

In Coalbrook Dale, 1898. Creator: Unknown
In Coalbrook Dale, 1898. Coalbrookdale village in the Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire, England, significant to the history of iron ore smelting by Abraham Darby contributing to the Industrial

An elderly couple sitting on steps outside Bath Abbey, Somerset, England. They share the steps with tourists and children trying to keep cool on a hot summer day Date: 1999

Drury Lane Celebrities, (1881). Creator: Unknown
Drury Lane Celebrities, (1881). Portraits of British actors Thomas Betterton, David Garrick, Charles Macklin, Hannah Pritchard and Mary Robinson who all performed in the Drury Lane Theatre

View of the iron bridge over the river Severn, Coalbrookdale, Shropshire, 19th century. Artist: W & J Walker
View of the iron bridge over the river Severn, Coalbrook Dale, Shropshire, 19th century. The development of coke smelting in Coalbrookdale by Abraham Darby I

Iron bridge across the Severn at Ironbridge, Coalbrookdale, England, built 1779 (1795). Artist: Samuel Ireland
Abraham Darby IIIs iron bridge across the Severn at Ironbridge, Coalbrookdale, England. First iron bridge in world, built between 1776 and 1779

A Contemporary Print Depicting Mary Robinson Mistress Of George Iv. The Caption Suggests She Is Getting Ready To Receive The Duke Of Chartres. Mary Robinson, N

Darby Foster and Mae Marsh in Paddy the Next Best Thing (1923) directed by Graham Cutts Date: 1923

Darby & Joan Club
The Darby & Joan Club, Scratchley House, Thornton Heath, Surrey, where lucky members can enjoy old time sequence dancing, whist, bingo, snooker or darts... Date: 1970s

Cat and dog in bed on a Christmas card -- Darby and Joan. Date: circa 1890s

My own Darby & Joan - Music Sheet Cover broadcast and recorded by Jack Simpson. An illustration of hearts and lines with a photo of Jack Simpson on the left bottom. Date: circa 1947

Darby Foster and Lillian Douglas in Paddy the Next Best Thing (1923) directed by Graham Cutts Date: 1923

Darby Foster in Paddy the Next Best Thing (1923) directed by Graham Cutts Date: 1923

Mary Robinson preparing to receive the Duke of Chartres (engraving)
KW1073691 Mary Robinson preparing to receive the Duke of Chartres (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mary Robinson, nee Darby, 1757?-A-1800)

BROOKLYN BASEBALL, 1889. The Brooklyn Bridegrooms. Photograph, 1889. Front row: Mickey Hughes. Middle: George Pinckney, Bob Caruthers, Hub Collins, Bill McGunnigle, Oyster Burns, Bob Clark

ABRAHAM DARBY (1678-1717). English ironmaster. Darby at his forge and the discovery of cast iron. Etching, English, 19th century

EMIGRANTs GUIDE, 1818. Title page of The Emigrants Guide to the Western and Southwestern States and Territories, by William Darby, printed at New York in 1818

Mr Bumble refusing Darby and Joan entry to the Workhouse together. Men and women were housed in separate wards and old couples were reluctant to spend their last days apart

THOMAS WIGNELL (1753-1803). American actor. In the role of Darby from William Dunlaps Darbys Return : line engraving after a drawing, c1789, by Dunlap

Entertainment / Tricks
INDIAN ROPE TRICK performed by Karachi (Arthur Claud Darby) and his son Kyder : a demonstration

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"Darby: A Legacy of Iron, Entertainment, and Companionship" In the peaceful embrace of Blackpool promenade, Darby finds solace in slumber. As the world awakens to a new day, it's worth remembering Abraham Darby's remarkable contribution - the first Ironbridge that spans majestically over River Severn at Ironbridge Gorge. This English ironmaster forever changed history with his forge and groundbreaking discovery of cast iron. Echoes from past victories resound as we glimpse into "Victors of the Nile, " an engraving capturing moments of triumph in 1803. But not all is serious; entertainment takes center stage as Darby showcases mesmerizing tricks that captivate audiences far and wide. Raise your glass to toast Darby's Pale Ale and Dinner Ale, crafted with passion like no other. These brews embody tradition and taste, a testament to quality that stands the test of time. As we stroll through Great Yarmouth beachfront, we spot an old couple nestled comfortably in their deck chairs – a heartwarming scene reminiscent of Markly's enchanting artwork from 1835. Their love endures through countless seasons just like the cherished bond shared by members of the esteemed Darby & Joan Club. Even our furry friends find comfort under Darby's name – a cat snuggles alongside a dog on a Christmas card while visions of joy dance around them. From forging iron to fostering companionship, "Darby" has become synonymous with resilience, innovation, and unity throughout generations. It reminds us that even amidst life’s challenges or fleeting trends, some legacies endure eternally - leaving an indelible mark on our hearts and minds.