Waistcoat Collection

Bill Frisell, 2006. Artist: Alan John Ainsworth
Bill Frisell, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, 2006

LFB firefighter in a hurry, with coat and helmet
LFB firefighter in a hurry, running with his coat on one hand and his helmet in the other

The Ringers of Launcells Tower, Frederick Smallfield (1829-1915)
Oil on canvas, English School, 1887. This painting was inspired by the poem The Ringers of Launcells Tower by Rev. R.S. Hawker of Morwenstow in his book Cornish Ballads and Other Poems

Pop star Boy George of Culture Club group. Pictured after the group moved into 15th spot in the charts. 28th September 1982

Pat Martino, 2009. Artist: Alan John Ainsworth
Pat Martino, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, 2009

Victorian gardener with watering can, Chelmsford
Studio portrait of a Victorian gardener with watering can, Chelmsford. circa 1860s

Group photo, Millwall Athletic football team
Millwall Athletic football team for the 1895-1896 season, including Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and Trainer, as well as the players themselves. circa 1895

Bruce Springsteen performing with The E Street Band at Villa Park, The Midlands, England, as part of his Tunnel of Love Express Tour

James Braid, Scottish golfer, c1905. One of the great triumvirate who dominated professional golf in the 20 years before the First World War

A signed photograph of Sigmund Freud, c. 1921 (sepia photo)
985676 A signed photograph of Sigmund Freud, c.1921 (sepia photo) by Halberstadt, Max (1882-1940); 35.6x25.7 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

John Vivian of Pencalenick, John Opie (1761-1807)
Oil on canvas, English School, around 1780. A portrait of a young John Vivian of Pencalenick (1772-1817). Vivian later became a Barrister and was High Sheriff of Cornwall in 1812

Harry Pollitt, Secretary of the Communist Party
Harry Pollitt (1890-1960), Secretary of the Communist Party of Great Britain, and head of its trade union department. Date: circa 1950s

Brotherly Affection; Affetto fraterno, c. 1900 (oil on canvas)
1197530 Brotherly Affection; Affetto fraterno, c. 1900 (oil on canvas) by Chierici, Gaetano (1838-1920); 33x42 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; Italian, out of copyright

James Polkinghorne, the Cornish Wrestler, Artist Unknown
Oil on canvas, English School, 19th century. In the 15th century, wrestling was the national sport of Cornwall and historical sources have written that, at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415

Miss Lily Elsie, (1886-1962), The Merry Widow. c1930. Creator: Unknown
Miss Lily Elsie, (1886-1962), The Merry Widow". c1930. English actress and singer during the Edwardian era. [Foulsham & Banfield, London]

The beach, Perranporth, Perranzabuloe, Cornwall. 1921
Two men and a little boy with four large fish on a stick. Photographer: Arthur William Jordan

Bill Sykes, 1939. William Bill Sikes is a character from the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens (1812-1870). From the Dickens Character Series produced by Copes Cigarettes, 1939

Carnaby Street, 1960s
Front cover of a promotional booklet about fashion epicentre of the 1960s, Carnaby Street, London. A model poses in front of the streets various boutiques wearing a Union Jack waistcoat

Frog in human clothing on a French postcard. Date: circa 1890s

Sir Francis Crossley, businessman, philanthropist and MP
Sir Francis Crossley (1817-1872), 1st Baronet of Halifax, British carpet manufacturer, philanthropist and Liberal Party politician. Date: 1860s

WW1 Recruitment Poster -- Whos Absent?
Whos Absent? - Is It You? Chromolithograph recruitment poster, published by the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee. Printed by Andrew Reid and Company Limited, 50 Grey Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

George Garland in a garden with his camera, September 1938 George Garland Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: Garland N17335

A. J. Cook led the Miners and the miners led the strike, c1926, (1938). Arthur James Cook (1883-1931), known as A. J. Cook, was a British trade union leader who was General Secretary of the Miners

Racial Type / Buchanan
James Buchanan wears checked jodhpurs, gaiters & boots, a red waistcoat, a wing collar & tie, a tweed jacket with rounded front borders & a low crowned top hat

John Maclean, Scottish teacher and revolutionary socialist
John Maclean (1879-1923), Scottish schoolteacher and revolutionary Marxist socialist. He was imprisoned for his opposition to the First World War, and lost his teaching post

Oliver Cromwell, 1867 (oil on canvas)
985100 Oliver Cromwell, 1867 (oil on canvas) by Leutze, Emanuel Gottlieb (1816-68); 145.1x107 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Oliver Cromwell. Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze (1816-1868). Oil on canvas

A Christmas Carol: Mr Fezziwigs Ball, 1843. Artist: John Leech
A Christmas Carol: Mr Fezziwigs Ball, 1843. This novella was the earliest and most popular of Charles Dickens Christmas stories

Evening full dress 1807
Evening full dress, woman wearing plain blue dress, cut low and square at front, fastened in the center with a broach, white satin sleeves caught up with broaches, trimmed with swansdown

Two country gentlemen chatting by a well at Upperton, Sussex. August 1936 George Garland Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: Garland N13357

W Kevis, Colwyn Bay
Date: 1886 Photographer: Walter Kevis Walter Kevis Collection West Sussex Record Office Reference No: Kevis 1/K69

Sir Hugo as a three-year old held by Groom in a Stable, c. 1875-92 (oil on canvas)
7240951 Sir Hugo as a three-year old held by Groom in a Stable, c.1875-92 (oil on canvas) by Hopkins, W.H. (d.1892); 87.5x75 cm; The Weston Park Foundation, Shropshire

Downstairs servants of a country house
Group photo, downstairs servants of a country house. circa 1900

Ibant qui poterant, qui non potuere cadebant (Those who could
5864164 Ibant qui poterant, qui non potuere cadebant (Those who could, walked; those who could not, fell), 1739 (pastel, gouache on paper on canvas) by Troost

Isambard Kingdom Brunel, standing in front of the launching chains of the
STC64675 Isambard Kingdom Brunel, standing in front of the launching chains of the Great Eastern, 1857 (b/w photo) by Howlett

Portrait of Anna Petrovna Filatova, c. 1840 (pair of 74387)
BOO74388 Portrait of Anna Petrovna Filatova, c.1840 (pair of 74387) by Russian School (19th century); 60x70 cm; State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia; Russian, out of copyright

Samuel Murray, c. 1890. Creator: Thomas Eakins
Samuel Murray, c. 1890

Mr Samuel Bloor water diviner of Okengates. 16th September 1938

Australian singer Olivia Newton-John who is to appear with Cliff Richard on a Christmas TV Show. 4th December 1970

Advertisement, Holt Mild Ale, Birmingham
Advertisement for Holt Mild Ale, Beer and Stout bottled by Charles Heeley Ltd. 1931

Aj Balfour / Roffe
ARTHUR JAMES BALFOUR 1st Earl of Balfour British politician, Conservative MP Date: 1848 - 1930

Illustration of two men in Apollo 11 control room

French postcard of, 1900 depicting a Tyrolean bagpipe player in traditional costume
3665634 French postcard of, 1900 depicting a Tyrolean bagpipe player in traditional costume by French School, (20th century); (add.info)

The Juggling Clown, (oil on panel)
650737 The Juggling Clown, (oil on panel) by Shinn, Everett (1876-1953); 25.3x20.2 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: The Juggling Clown. Everett Shinn (1876-1953). Oil on panel

Happy Guy, 1944 (oil on canvas)
650489 Happy Guy, 1944 (oil on canvas) by Shinn, Everett (1876-1953); 61x51 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Happy Guy. Everett Shinn (1876-1953). Oil on canvas. Signed and dated 1944

Young boy wearing a suit with bright blue waistcoat and yellow gloves (coloured photo)
8655846 Young boy wearing a suit with bright blue waistcoat and yellow gloves (coloured photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Portrait of a man of the Piccardi family, carte de visite
3560941 Portrait of a man of the Piccardi family, carte de visite by Unknown photographer, (19th century); (add.info.: Italy 1870-1880 Photographer: Unidentified Author); Alinari Archives, Florence

Portrait of a couple, carte de visite
3560939 Portrait of a couple, carte de visite by Unknown photographer, (19th century); (add.info.: Italy 1870-1880 Photographer: Unidentified Author); Alinari Archives, Florence.

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"The Waistcoat: A Timeless Fashion Statement Across Eras and Cultures" From the iconic painting "The Ringers of Launcells Tower" by Frederick Smallfield to the modern masterpiece captured by artist Alan John Ainsworth in Pat Martino's portrait, the waistcoat has remained a symbol of sophistication and style. Even pop star Boy George of Culture Club embraced this fashion trend as he posed confidently in his waistcoat after the group achieved great success, securing their spot among music legends. The Victorian gardener with his watering can in Chelmsford also donned a waistcoat while tending to nature's beauty, showcasing its versatility beyond formal occasions. Sports teams like Millwall Athletic football team proudly wore their waistcoats during group photos, exemplifying unity and camaraderie both on and off the field. Meanwhile, Sigmund Freud's sepia photograph revealed even intellectuals appreciated this fashionable garment. Music transcends time and genres, as seen when Bruce Springsteen electrified audiences at Villa Park with The E Street Band while sporting a stylish waistcoat. Similarly, James Braid showcased his sartorial elegance on golf courses around Scotland during the early 1900s. In Cornish wrestling history, James Polkinghorne stood tall wearing a traditional waistcoat that represented strength and heritage. And who could forget Perranporth beach in Cornwall during 1921? Even amidst sand dunes and crashing waves, individuals strolled along the shore adorned with their beloved waistcoats. Carnaby Street became synonymous with fashion rebellion in the swinging 1960s era - where vibrant colors met bold patterns - making it no surprise that many fashion-forward individuals sported trendy waistcoats along this iconic street. Lastly, an amusing French postcard depicted a frog dressed impeccably in human clothing - including a charming little waistcoat - reminding us that even whimsy can find its place within our wardrobes.