Scarcity Collection

Advert for Standard Cars, temporarily unavailable for civilian purchase, due to the war. Date: 1943

Garde Nationale Auxiliaire (coloured engraving)
3621749 Garde Nationale Auxiliaire (coloured engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Garde Nationale Auxiliaire (Auxiliary National Guard)

Garde Mobile de la Seine (coloured engraving)
3621742 Garde Mobile de la Seine (coloured engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Garde Mobile de la Seine (Mobile Guard of the Seine)

The Banker and the Peaches (engraving)
2780904 The Banker and the Peaches (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Banker and the Peaches)

Women standing in a queue for a bakery, Toulouse, c. 1940 (b / w photo)
995770 Women standing in a queue for a bakery, Toulouse, c.1940 (b/w photo) by French Photographer, (20th century); (add.info.: Women waiting in front of a bakery in Toulouse); © Tallandier

The Scarcity of Small Change in Paris, the Gold Buyers on the Steps of the Bourse (engraving)
1057505 The Scarcity of Small Change in Paris, the Gold Buyers on the Steps of the Bourse (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

After the Spanish-American War, the Effect of the Scarcity of Food in Manila (litho)
1063844 After the Spanish-American War, the Effect of the Scarcity of Food in Manila (litho) by Paget, Walter Stanley (1861-1908); Private Collection; (add.info.: After the Spanish-American War)

Boarding House Life (engraving)
1038348 Boarding House Life (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Boarding House Life)

An Afternoon Dance on Board a Man-of-War (engraving)
1061368 An Afternoon Dance on Board a Man-of-War (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: An Afternoon Dance on Board a Man-of-War)

Dead Mary
Broken glasses and glass shards in a balancing construction with a goldfish, global warming concept. Dina Belenko

Scarcity of Currency in 1847, c1850, (1904). From Social England, Volume VI, edited by H.D. Traill, D.C.L. and J. S. Mann, M.A

Horse-drawn cart carrying crates of drink, German-occupied Paris, July 1940. Under the German occupation, petrol was unobtainable

Parisians travelling by bicycle, German-occupied Paris, July 1940. Under the German occupation, petrol was unobtainable. Only police cars and vehicles carrying food supplies were allowed to travel

Making wooden shoe soles, German-occupied Paris, February 1941. Like most things, leather was scarce during the occupation

Queue outside a grocers shop, Siege of Paris, Franco-Prussian war, 1870-1871. Paris endured severe food shortages during the Prussian blockade which lasted from early September 1870 until late

Garde Nationale Auxiliaire, Siege of Paris, Franco-Prussian War, 1870-1871. A woman shopper and a member of the National Guard (Garde Nationale)

An English butchers, Boulevard Haussmann, Paris, 1871
An English butcher s, Boulevard Haussmann, 1871. The meat on sale is from animals, including elephant, from the Jardins des Plantes (Paris Zoo)

We have no more than that Sir, 1871. A market trader in poultry, during the Siege of Paris, showing that she has nothing to sell

A gas-bag motor boat
The scarcity of petrol during the First World War saw the introduction of cars and vans powered by gas, with the gas being transported in a huge bag on the roof

American Civil War Letter
A letter written during the American Civil War in two directions because of scarcity of paper. Collection of The Daughters of The Confederacy, Charlestown, South Carolina

Food rationing comparison by G. H. Davis
Food rationing in Great Britain during the two World Wars: a comparison of the periods 1917-1920 and 1940-1946. The chief topic of conversation today -- food

BOARDING HOUSE LIFE: 1. Sometimes there is a great scarcity of men (on one occasion the proportion was 7 to 1), the one being in great request until it was discovered that he was married. 2

Facsimile of a Declaration about the Scarcity of Food; American Revolutionary War, Us, Usa, 1870S Engraving

Distribution of Bread at the Louvre during the Food Shortage, 1709 (engraving)
XIR158174 Distribution of Bread at the Louvre during the Food Shortage, 1709 (engraving) by French School, (18th century); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Tommy Atkins in Rhodesia: Leaves from an Officers Sketch Book, 1897; the Mid Day Outspan; Crossing a " drift" on the Hanyani River; Near the End of the Patrol a Scarcity of Mealies; Not

WW2 - Cost of a Selfridges 3-piece suit in rationing coupons
WW2 - Cost of a Selfridges 3-piece suit - Cost 8 guineas and 26 Clothing rationing coupons - 17th June, 1941. In 1942, each person had 60 coupons p.a. which reduced down to 24 coupons by 1945

Boarding House Life: 1. Sometimes There Is A Great Scarcity Of Men (on One Occasion The Proportion Was 7 To 1), The One Being In Great Request Until It Was Discovered That He Was Married. 2

Facsimile of a Declaration about the Scarcity of Food; American Revolutionary War, Us, Usa, 1870S Engraving

Global water supply, conceptual artwork F007 / 8470
Global water supply, conceptual computer artwork

Water scarcity, artwork F007 / 8468
Water scarcity, computer artwork

Water scarcity, artwork F007 / 8467
Water scarcity, computer artwork

Water scarcity, artwork F007 / 8469
Water scarcity, computer artwork

USA, Alaska. Female moose browsing on a branch

NAST: SCARCITY CARTOON. Too much of a Good Thing. American cartoon, 1871, by Thomas Nast, commenting on the scarcity of men at a seaside resort during the work week in summer

Different ways of dealing with the scarcity of oil
Illustration by W. Heath Robinson. Please note: Credit must appear as Courtesy of the Estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger Ltd/ILN/Mary Evans

French Money Crisis
A scarcity of small change sets off a financial panic in France : would-be gold buyers on the steps of the Paris bourse

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

In times of scarcity, the world is forced to confront its limitations. Whether it be due to war or political unrest, the concept becomes a harsh reality that affects every aspect of life. During World War II, even something as simple as purchasing a car became an unattainable dream for civilians. An advertisement for Standard Cars in 1943 serves as a reminder of this temporary unavailability caused by the war. The image captures the frustration and longing felt by individuals who were unable to fulfill their desires amidst such trying times. Similarly, in Moscow under the Bolshevists from 1917-19, scarcity took on a different form - bread shortages. A lithograph depicting the announcement that no bread would be distributed today showcases how basic necessities became scarce during periods of political upheaval. The Garde Nationale Auxiliaire and Garde Mobile de la Seine colored engravings shed light on another facet - manpower shortage during times of conflict. These images depict military units struggling to maintain their strength due to limited resources and personnel. Scarcity extends beyond material goods; it also encompasses currency shortages depicted in engravings like "The Banker and the Peaches" or "The Scarcity of Small Change in Paris. " These artworks highlight how economic instability can lead to difficulties in conducting everyday transactions. Photographs capture poignant moments too - women standing patiently in queues outside bakeries in Toulouse around 1940 illustrate how food scarcity affected ordinary people's lives during wartime. "The Effect Food in Manila, " a lithograph after the Spanish-American War, portrays hunger gripping a city devastated by conflict. It reminds us that scarcity not only impacts physical well-being but also has profound psychological effects on communities grappling with limited resources. Even daily routines are disrupted when faced with scarcities; boarding house life engraving shows individuals cramped together due to lack of housing options while an afternoon dance on board a man-of-war engraving depicts the limited entertainment options available to sailors.