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Sweeper Collection

Sweeping through time and across continents, the sweeper's humble yet vital role has left an indelible mark on history

Background imageSweeper Collection: Cosette, illustration from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Cosette, illustration from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
XEE4149981 Cosette, illustration from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, 1862 after Emile Antoine Bayard - Representation of Cosette

Background imageSweeper Collection: Constantinople, Turkey - Chimney Sweep

Constantinople, Turkey - Chimney Sweep

Background imageSweeper Collection: Bank of England / Busy

Bank of England / Busy
Busy street scene including coaches and a crossing sweeper, a figure peers out of an upstairs window and a flag flies from a tower

Background imageSweeper Collection: Advertisement for the Western Electric vacuum cleaner with a women patiently cleaning

Advertisement for the Western Electric vacuum cleaner with a women patiently cleaning the carpet around her snoozing husband. Lets hope that cigarette falls into his lap and wakes him up. Date: c.1924

Background imageSweeper Collection: HMS Jewel, British minesweeper M390

HMS Jewel, British minesweeper M390
HMS Jewel, British Algerine-class minesweeper M390. Date: circa 1960s

Background imageSweeper Collection: Bluebell in Fairyland by Seymour Hicks and Ellaline Terriss

Bluebell in Fairyland by Seymour Hicks and Ellaline Terriss
Flyer for the revival of the musical Bluebell in Fairyland on 26th December 1927 at The Scala Theatre, by Seymour Hicks and Ellaline Terriss, with music by Walter Slaughter

Background imageSweeper Collection: Cosette, illustration from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Cosette, illustration from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
XEE4149978 Cosette, illustration from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, 1862 after Emile Antoine Bayard - Representation of Cosette

Background imageSweeper Collection: Carpet Sweeper

Carpet Sweeper
A young housewife using a carpet sweeper

Background imageSweeper Collection: Snow Trafalgar Square

Snow Trafalgar Square
A man sweeps a path in the heavy snow at the base of Nelsons Column in Trafalgar Square. Note Landseers lions covered in snow

Background imageSweeper Collection: Indian Sweeper

Indian Sweeper
A sweeper, Punjab

Background imageSweeper Collection: Coral reef with soft corals (Dendronephthya sp. ), encrusting sponges and Pygmy sweepers

Coral reef with soft corals (Dendronephthya sp. ), encrusting sponges and Pygmy sweepers
Coral reef with soft corals (Dendronephthya sp.), encrusting sponges and Pygmy sweepers (Parapriacanthus ransonetti) Similan Islands, Andaman Sea, Thailand

Background imageSweeper Collection: Ursula, Utensils, Utility, Unite, Urn, page 34 - Alphabet by Mademoiselle Lili, by L

Ursula, Utensils, Utility, Unite, Urn, page 34 - Alphabet by Mademoiselle Lili, by L
DUV4224191 Ursula, Utensils, Utility, Unite, Urn, page 34 - Alphabet by Mademoiselle Lili, by L. Froelich and by a dad (Hetzel himself). Bibliotheque & Magasin d'Education et de Recreation J

Background imageSweeper Collection: Street sweeper, Moscow, Russia

Street sweeper, Moscow, Russia

Background imageSweeper Collection: Road sweeper Victorian period

Road sweeper Victorian period

Background imageSweeper Collection: Whirlwind Suction Sweeper Advertisement

Whirlwind Suction Sweeper Advertisement
An advertisement for Stapley, Harrison and Watson Ltd. promoting the all British Whirlwind Suction Sweeper, the young lady in the illustration can be seen using the product

Background imageSweeper Collection: Brass anchor chain and propeller from WW1 period

Brass anchor chain and propeller from WW1 period
Brass anchor chain and propeller reputedly from a WW1 Royal Navy minesweeper. 21 inches

Background imageSweeper Collection: Thessaloniki, Greece - Street Sweepers resting

Thessaloniki, Greece - Street Sweepers resting after a hard day's work. Date: circa 1910s

Background imageSweeper Collection: The consequences of the crash of many railway companies

The consequences of the crash of many railway companies
3733989 The consequences of the crash of many railway companies. by Leech, John (1817-64); (add.info.: Cartoon commenting on the consequences of the crash of many railway companies)

Background imageSweeper Collection: Curling in Wengen (oil on canvas)

Curling in Wengen (oil on canvas)
AFR97131 Curling in Wengen (oil on canvas) by Lavery, John (1856-1941); South African National Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa; (add.info.: by John Lavery)

Background imageSweeper Collection: Sketch to illustrate 'Not Honourably Discharged', 1904 (w/c)

Sketch to illustrate "Not Honourably Discharged", 1904 (w/c)
XOS5887644 Sketch to illustrate "Not Honourably Discharged", 1904 (w/c) by Jacobs, Leroy William (1869-1917); Cleveland Museum of Art, OH, USA; (add.info.: William Leroy Jacobs (1869-1917))

Background imageSweeper Collection: C. & N. W. R. R. Mrs. Elibia Siematter, employed as a sweeper at the roundhouse, Clinton, Iowa, 1943

C. & N. W. R. R. Mrs. Elibia Siematter, employed as a sweeper at the roundhouse, Clinton, Iowa, 1943
C. & N.W. R.R. Mrs. Elibia Siematter, employed as a sweeper at the roundhouse, Clinton, Iowa

Background imageSweeper Collection: DDE-90024851

DDE-90024851
Indonesia, Papua, Raja Ampat. Colorful corals on reef. Date: 05/10/2006

Background imageSweeper Collection: DDE-90024808

DDE-90024808
Sweeper fish (Pempheridae) school and sea fan, Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia. Date: 12/08/2006

Background imageSweeper Collection: DDE-90024806

DDE-90024806
Close-up of schooling sweetlip fish (Plectorhinchus), Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia. Date: 12/08/2006

Background imageSweeper Collection: DDE-90024807

DDE-90024807
Close-up of angelfish (Pterophyllum), Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia. Date: 12/08/2006

Background imageSweeper Collection: Cleaning House (colour litho)

Cleaning House (colour litho)
7194540 Cleaning House (colour litho) by Humphrey, Maud (1868-1940); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cleaning House. Illustration for Little Grown-Ups with plates by Maud Humphrey (Gardner, Darton)

Background imageSweeper Collection: The Morning, c. 1920 (colour litho)

The Morning, c. 1920 (colour litho)
CHT236763 The Morning, c.1920 (colour litho) by Raffin, Ferdinand (1870?-1948); Private Collection; © Archives Charmet

Background imageSweeper Collection: Renato Sorriso (Sweeper)

Renato Sorriso (Sweeper) Olympic Games Closing Ceremony London 2012 Olympic Games Closing Ceremony Stratford, London, England 12 August 2012 Date: 12 August 2012

Background imageSweeper Collection: Snow sweepers, 1850 (engraving)

Snow sweepers, 1850 (engraving)
3315956 Snow sweepers, 1850 (engraving) by British School, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark Pictures

Background imageSweeper Collection: The Crossing Sweeper (colour litho)

The Crossing Sweeper (colour litho)
7181956 The Crossing Sweeper (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Crossing Sweeper)

Background imageSweeper Collection: Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Balayeur; Street-sweeper; Gassenkerher (engraving)

Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Balayeur; Street-sweeper; Gassenkerher (engraving)
7194810 Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Balayeur; Street-sweeper; Gassenkerher (engraving) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Balayeur; Street-sweeper; Gassenkerher)

Background imageSweeper Collection: 'Sweep your doorstep, mum?'(colour litho)

"Sweep your doorstep, mum?"(colour litho)
7181699 " Sweep your doorstep, mum?" (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: " Sweep your doorstep, mum)

Background imageSweeper Collection: Earning an Honest Penny (engraving)

Earning an Honest Penny (engraving)
7182171 Earning an Honest Penny (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Earning an Honest Penny)

Background imageSweeper Collection: L Assiette au Beurre, number 93, Satirique en Couleurs, 1903_1_10: Paris, Arc de triomphe

L Assiette au Beurre, number 93, Satirique en Couleurs, 1903_1_10: Paris, Arc de triomphe, Metro - Paris (lithograph)
ICA4880993 L Assiette au Beurre, number 93, Satirique en Couleurs, 1903_1_10: Paris, Arc de triomphe, Metro - Paris (lithograph) by Cadel, Eugene (1865-1940); (add.info.: L Plate au beurre)

Background imageSweeper Collection: Nearly worn out (colour litho)

Nearly worn out (colour litho)
7181684 Nearly worn out (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Nearly worn out)

Background imageSweeper Collection: Advertisement for Ewbank carpet sweepers (colour litho)

Advertisement for Ewbank carpet sweepers (colour litho)
7154074 Advertisement for Ewbank carpet sweepers (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageSweeper Collection: The Sweeper. Engraving in 'La chanson des metier'

The Sweeper. Engraving in "La chanson des metier"
XEE4191850 The Sweeper. Engraving in " La chanson des metier". Epinal imaging, late 19th century. Private Collection by French School

Background imageSweeper Collection: The trade of sweeper in 1820: a sweeper helping a young woman cross a puddle

The trade of sweeper in 1820: a sweeper helping a young woman cross a puddle
XEE4405305 The trade of sweeper in 1820: a sweeper helping a young woman cross a puddle. by Unknown Artist, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The trade of sweeper in 1820)

Background imageSweeper Collection: Street Sweepers Page taken from nickname-i Humayun (Surname i Humayun) or

Street Sweepers Page taken from nickname-i Humayun (Surname i Humayun) or
LRI4662047 Street Sweepers Page taken from nickname-i Humayun (Surname i Humayun) or Book of Festivities (ms. hazine 1344, fol. 341 a) illustrated by Osman

Background imageSweeper Collection: Road sweeper (b / w photo)

Road sweeper (b / w photo)
3637466 Road sweeper (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Road sweeper. Illustration for Wonderful London by St John Adcock (Fleetway, c 1930)

Background imageSweeper Collection: Punch cartoon: A Regular Gold Dustman (engraving)

Punch cartoon: A Regular Gold Dustman (engraving)
6034638 Punch cartoon: A Regular Gold Dustman (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Punch cartoon: A Regular Gold Dustman)

Background imageSweeper Collection: Sweeper carrying water (w / c on paper)

Sweeper carrying water (w / c on paper)
908445 Sweeper carrying water (w/c on paper) by Indian School, (19th century); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; Indian, out of copyright

Background imageSweeper Collection: The Boy-Crossing Sweepers, from the daguerreotype by Richard Beard

The Boy-Crossing Sweepers, from the daguerreotype by Richard Beard
STC421750 The Boy-Crossing Sweepers, from the daguerreotype by Richard Beard, illustration from London Labour and London Poor by Henry Mayhew, pub

Background imageSweeper Collection: Jo, illustration from Character Sketches from Charles Dickens, c. 1890 (colour litho)

Jo, illustration from Character Sketches from Charles Dickens, c. 1890 (colour litho)
LLM405117 Jo, illustration from Character Sketches from Charles Dickens, c.1890 (colour litho) by Clarke, Joseph Clayton (Kyd) (1856-1937); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageSweeper Collection: Daniel Cropp, sweeper (engraving)

Daniel Cropp, sweeper (engraving)
664716 Daniel Cropp, sweeper (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Daniel Cropp, sweeper of the crossing from Charles Street to Rathbone place)

Background imageSweeper Collection: Nautragio of a large German sailing ship, crewmen climbing trees in tragic... (colour litho)

Nautragio of a large German sailing ship, crewmen climbing trees in tragic... (colour litho)
2815621 Nautragio of a large German sailing ship, crewmen climbing trees in tragic... (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageSweeper Collection: The crew of a Finnish boat (seven sailors and a cook) was surprised in the North Sea by the storm

The crew of a Finnish boat (seven sailors and a cook) was surprised in the North Sea by the storm (colour litho)
2778087 The crew of a Finnish boat (seven sailors and a cook) was surprised in the North Sea by the storm (colour litho) by Beltrame



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Sweeping through time and across continents, the sweeper's humble yet vital role has left an indelible mark on history. From the pages of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, where Cosette finds solace amidst a world in turmoil, to Constantinople's bustling streets where chimney sweeps battled soot-filled chimneys, their presence was felt everywhere. Even the grandeur of the Bank of England couldn't escape their diligent touch as they tirelessly kept its surroundings clean. In an era when women patiently worked with Western Electric vacuum cleaners to maintain pristine homes, advertisements celebrated their dedication and attention to detail. On the high seas, brave sailors aboard HMS Jewel risked their lives as minesweepers, ensuring safe passage for others. Meanwhile, Seymour Hicks and Ellaline Terriss transported us to Fairyland with Bluebell and her enchanting adventures. Carpet sweepers became trusted companions in households worldwide while snow-covered Trafalgar Square witnessed dedicated sweepers battling winter's icy grip. Across oceans in India or amidst London's vibrant Soho district on Rupert Street W1, these unsung heroes diligently carried out their duties. From Moscow's bustling streets to every corner of our globe, street sweepers have been guardians against urban debris. Their tireless efforts remind us that even in the smallest tasks lies great importance. Whether depicted by renowned artists or captured in photographs throughout history; whether cleaning up after tragedy or maintaining everyday cleanliness – sweepers embody resilience and commitment that often goes unnoticed but is never forgotten.