Press Gang Collection

A Cribbage Party in St. Giless Disturbed By A Press Gang, October 26, 1787

An engraving depicting a Press Gang 'recruiting' men for the Navy in London, 19th century
5311018 An engraving depicting a Press Gang 'recruiting' men for the Navy in London, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1895); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Royal Navy press gang, enforcing the recruitment of sailors, 1794 (coloured engraving)
3245448 Royal Navy press gang, enforcing the recruitment of sailors, 1794 (coloured engraving) by British School, (18th Century); Private Collection; Peter Newark Pictures

Press Gang at work
1192449 Press Gang at work by Hardy, Paul (1862-1942); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cassells History of England published by Cassell and Company circa 1920 s); British, out of copyright

The Custom House, the Press Gang and the Tower of London
6340339 The Custom House, the Press Gang and the Tower of London by Taylor, Isaac (1730-1807); (add.info.: The Custom House, the Press Gang and the Tower of London)

The Press Gang, (pencil and watercolour)
828409 The Press Gang, (pencil and watercolour) by Kilburne, George Goodwin (1839-1924); 44.5x62.3 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: The Press Gang. George Goodwin Kilburne (1839-1924)

The French Conscripts, engraved by Matthew Dubourg (fl. 1813-20
STC88707 The French Conscripts, engraved by Matthew Dubourg (fl.1813-20) and John Heaviside Clark (c.1771-1863) from Historic, Military and Naval Anecdotes, pub

The Sedan Chair, the Milkmaid and the Sailors and Ship
6340369 The Sedan Chair, the Milkmaid and the Sailors and Ship by Taylor, Isaac (1730-1807); (add.info.: The Sedan Chair, the Milkmaid and the Sailors and Ship)

A Victim of the Press-Gang makes a Stout Resistance (litho)
960492 A Victim of the Press-Gang makes a Stout Resistance (litho) by Overend, William Heysham (1851-98) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Victim of the Press-Gang makes a Stout Resistance)

Press-Gang at Work (engraving)
664566 Press-Gang at Work (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Press-Gang at Work)

The press gang (engraving)
665022 The press gang (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The press gang seizing a waterman of Tower Hill on the morning of his marriage day)

A Shilling for the King, 1812 (w / c on paper)
CJP108784 A Shilling for the King, 1812 (w/c on paper) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; eCharles Plante Fine Arts; English, out of copyright

The Kings Shilling, c. 1770 (oil on canvas)
NAM237683 The Kings Shilling, c.1770 (oil on canvas) by English School, (18th century); National Army Museum, London; (add.info.: a recruiting party of an officer, sergeant)

Humorous Art at the Royal Naval Exhibition (engraving)
1062523 Humorous Art at the Royal Naval Exhibition (engraving) by Gillray, James (1757-1815) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Humorous Art at the Royal Naval Exhibition)

Recruiters in the time of the Thirty Year War, 1618-1648, (1936). Creator: Unknown
Recruiters in the time of the Thirty Year War, 1618-1648, (1936). Werber Aus Der Zeit Des 30 Jahrigen Krieges. 1618-1648. Poor farming folk being rounded up to fight in mercenary armies

Mary Anne Talbot Resisting A Press Gang, 1822. Creator: J Chapman
Mary Anne Talbot Resisting A Press Gang, 1822. Portrait of Mary Anne Talbot (1778-1808), also known as John Taylor, an Englishwoman who wore male dress and allegedly became a soldier

Trepanning A Recruit, c1791, (1930). Creator: George Keating
Trepanning A Recruit, c1791, (1930). A group of people outside a building with a sign reading Cumberland House D. Irwin from Carlisle

Manning the navy, Tower Hill, London, 1790. Artist: John Barlow
Manning the navy, London, 1790; showing a press gang with sabres and bludgeons on Tower Hill

The Press-Gang: Seizing a Waterman on Tower Hill on the Morning of His Marriage, (1878). After Alexander Johnston (1815?1891)

Mary Ann Talbot resisting a pressgang
Mary Ann Talbot (1778 - 1808) donned male clothes and enlisted as a sailor during the Napoleonic Wars; she was wounded in 1794 and later captured by the French

FALL / BULLDOG / 1907
CHAMPION PRESSGANG

Falstaff Examining his Recruits from Henry IV by Shakespeare, 1730
BAL47518 Falstaff Examining his Recruits from Henry IV by Shakespeare, 1730 by Hogarth, William (1697-1764); 49.5x58.5 cm; Private Collection; English, out of copyright

The Press-gang (drawing)
BAL25945 The Press-gang (drawing) by Clennell, Luke (1781-1840); Victoria & Albert Museum, London, UK; English, out of copyright

The Liberty of the Subject, publ. by H. Humphrey, October 15th 1779 (coloured engraving)
XZL147688 The Liberty of the Subject, publ. by H. Humphrey, October 15th 1779 (coloured engraving) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

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"The Press Gang: Enforcing Loyalty to the Crown, a Historical Perspective" Step back in time to October 26, 1787, where a cribbage party in St. Giles was abruptly disturbed by the presence of a press gang. These notorious groups were known for their role in enforcing the recruitment of sailors into the Royal Navy during times of war. In this vividly colored engraving from 1794, we witness firsthand the power and authority wielded by a Royal Navy press gang as they carry out their duty. Their mission was clear - to forcefully gather able-bodied men for service at sea, often leaving families and loved ones behind. The Custom House stands tall amidst this chaotic scene, serving as an ominous backdrop for both the press gang and the Tower of London looming nearby. The very walls seem to echo with tales of those who were unwillingly taken away from their lives on land. Through pencil and watercolor artistry, another depiction showcases the intensity surrounding these press gangs. With meticulous detail, it captures not only their actions but also reveals glimpses into daily life – including encounters with milkmaids and sailors alike. Matthew Dubourg's engraved piece titled "The French Conscripts" transports us across borders as we witness similar practices abroad. It serves as a reminder that conscription was not unique to England; other nations faced similar challenges during turbulent times. One lithograph portrays an individual bravely resisting being pressed into service – symbolizing countless victims who fought against this forced recruitment system. Their resistance embodied courage in standing up against injustice. Engravings further illustrate scenes depicting press gangs hard at work – capturing both their efficiency and ruthlessness simultaneously. These images serve as historical records that shed light on an era when individuals' lives could be forever altered by one shilling or even less. Finally, two captivating artworks transport us directly into moments frozen in time: "A Shilling for the King" (1812) and "The King's Shilling" (c. 1770).