Licensing Collection

Kate Meyrick released from prison
Kate Ma Meyrick (1875 -1933), an Irish business woman and Queen of the London nightclub scene. She ran " 43", a late-night jazz club at 43 Gerrard Street in Soho

Social clubs are even more of a menace to society than pubs - or so a working class wife is represented as telling Asquith when he introduces his licensing bill for pubs Date: 1908

Testing the limit of tilt in London omnibus before licensing it for the road (b / w photo)
6009222 Testing the limit of tilt in London omnibus before licensing it for the road (b/w photo) by European Photographer

Broadcast Receiving Licence excluding television, issued in 1947, costing twenty shillings (one pound). 1947

Advertisement for Mickey Mouse watch, 1933
An early form of character licensing in the form of a watch featuring Walt Disneys world famous character Mickey Mouse. Date: 1933

Cartoon, Scene at Henglers Circus, London
Cartoon, Daring Equestrian Act, performed at Henglers Cirque -- a satire on the Licensing Act. The man jumping through the hoop is Frederick Charles Hengler (1820-1887), horseman and circus owner

Cartoon, Music Hall Licensing -- anxious moments for proprietors. 1881

Illustration by Cecil Aldin, inspector counting hounds
Illustration by Cecil Aldin -- an excise officer counting hounds in the days when dog licences were required. Not surprisingly, he is having difficulty counting sixty couples who keep moving around

Kate Ma Meyrick, nightclub queen
Kate Ma Meyrick (1875 -1933), an Irish business woman and Queen of the London nightclub scene. She ran " 43", a late-night jazz club at 43 Gerrard Street in Soho

Scotland Yard raiding nightclubs, 1928
Two officers disguised in evening dress take the details of two guests at a night club they are raiding. Raids on London nightclubs were frequent during the First World War

Sefton fabrics featuring Eve, 1918
Advertisement for Sefton Fabrics, publicising their new materials featuring designs by Annie Fish and Rillette as well as other, unspecified but well known artists

Festival of the Golden Rump, 1737 (etching)
XJF867954 Festival of the Golden Rump, 1737 (etching) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Robert Walpole)

The judgement of the queen o common sense, address d to Henry Fielding Esq
XJF867952 The judgement of the queen o common sense, address d to Henry Fielding Esq. 1736 (etching) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Licensing Bill
27th September 1908: Demonstrations against the Licensing Bill, in Hyde Park, London. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Licensing Law March
September 1908: A march in opposition to the proposed licensing laws. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Little girl approaching pub bar to ask for Brandy
A Large Order. Little Girl - " Three penn orth o Brandy an I want a cork; an will ye wash the bottle out, cos its ad milk in it." Date: 1895

Jacques-Constantin Perier C014 / 2083
Portrait of the French self-taught engineer and businessman Jacques-Constantin Perier (1742-1818). In 1777 he and his brother Charles-Augustus obtained the concession to supply water to the city of

Young woman protesting against licensing bill
A bill to licence drinking places meets with vigorous disapproval from a young woman in Kennington Road, London. She is so incensed that she climbs up a lamppost. Date: 1871

American Valentines Day card - Marriage licence
Dear Valentine Just say the word and I ll trot right down for the license Marriage Licenses are required prior to obtaining the right to maary in the USA - some states also require a blood test to

The Waterman Arms, Southwark
A photograph of The Waterman Arms in Southwark, SE London, the first trust public house to be opened in London. While alcoholic drinks were still sold

Socialising. Couple sitting in cafe chairs on a pavement

Policemen arrest a drunk
Cartoon postcard by Phil May - The New Licensing Act - two policemen escort a (once) smartly-dressed drunkard for a night in the cells to sober up

Horse-Power
A new apparatus recently adopted by the licensing authorities for testing the horse-power of motor cars. Please note: Credit must appear as Courtesy of the Estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger

Licensing Bill cartoon 1908
A cartoon referring to the 1908 Licensing Bill which sought to reduce the number of licensed premises selling alcohol. There was much criticism of the bill which was seen as an infringement of civil

The Licensing Bill, 1908
Poster criticising the Licensing Bill of 1908 which sought to restrict and reduce the number of licensed premises in the country in an attempt to curb drunken behaviour

Licensing Bill poster 1908
Poster criticising the Licensing Bill proposed by the government in 1908 to reduce licensed premises and curb drinking, while allowing private clubs to carry on without restrictions

Licensing Bill Fails
The lions of Great Britain (symbolising the majority of the population) chase away the Licensing Bill, which sought to close a third of the countrys licensed premises

Licensing Bill Demo
March of the opponents to the Licensing Bill showing a crowd of 130, 000, half of which had been paid for by brewers to travel to London at reduced fares. The bill sought to

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"Licensing: From Prison to Nightclubs, a Historical Journey" In 1908, as Kate Meyrick is released from prison, a working-class wife boldly claims that social clubs are more detrimental to society than pubs. This statement coincides with Asquith's introduction of the licensing bill for pubs, sparking debates on societal vices. Fast forward to 1933 when an advertisement for a Mickey Mouse watch captures the imagination of many. It reminds us that even in times of economic downturn and political turmoil, licensing brings joy and entertainment into our lives. But licensing goes beyond mere amusement; it ensures safety and quality standards too. In an old engraving titled "The Players Last Refuge" from 1735, we witness the struggles of strollers seeking refuge amidst distress. This highlights the importance of regulating theatrical performances through licenses. Transportation also falls under this umbrella. A black-and-white photo shows London omnibuses being tested for their tilt limits before receiving licenses to hit the roads. Such measures protect passengers' well-being while ensuring efficient public transportation systems. Entertainment venues like Henglers Circus in London have not escaped scrutiny either. A cartoon depicting a scene at this circus sheds light on music hall licensing issues prevalent during those times. These regulations aimed to strike a balance between enjoyment and maintaining order within these establishments. Moving away from public spaces, Cecil Aldin's illustration showcases an inspector meticulously counting hounds—a reminder that even hunting activities required proper oversight through licenses. Nightclubs hold their own allure but can also be subject to legal scrutiny. The infamous nightclub queen Kate Ma Meyrick becomes emblematic of Scotland Yard's raiding efforts in 1928—an attempt by authorities to ensure compliance with licensing laws and maintain public safety. Finally, Sefton fabrics featuring Eve in 1918 demonstrate how even fashion items required appropriate authorization—highlighting how diverse industries fall under the purview regulations throughout history. From prisons to nightclubs, it has played a pivotal role in shaping society.