Alkali Collection

Cleopatra VII (69-30 BC) queen of Egypt, last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty, dissolving pearls in wine
531231 Cleopatra VII (69-30 BC) queen of Egypt, last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty, dissolving pearls in wine. Illustration by Frederick Augustus Sandys (1832-1904)

Crosfield's soap works, Warrington 1886
Various scenes of the packing and distribution of Crosfield's Soap, Bank, Quarry, Warrington, Cheshire. Date: 1886

William Gossage (b / w photo)
3649837 William Gossage (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: William Gossage)

John McClellan (litho)
3649832 John McClellan (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: John McClellan. Illustration for A History of the Chemical Industry in Widnes by D W F Hardie)

Humphrey Davy (etching)
815937 Humphrey Davy (etching) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Humphrey Davy (1778-1829), English chemist and inventor of the Davy lamp for miners

Appleton Lodge (b / w photo)
3649834 Appleton Lodge (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Appleton Lodge)

James Hargreaves (b / w photo)
3649846 James Hargreaves (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: James Hargreaves)

Law court building at Kano, Nigeria, West Africa, with the alkali or native judge on the front steps. Date: 1922

Humphrey Davy (engraving)
815726 Humphrey Davy (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Humphrey Davy (1778-1829)

Henry Brunner (b / w photo)
3649845 Henry Brunner (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Henry Brunner. Illustration for A History of the Chemical Industry in Widnes by D W F Hardie)

James Muspratt (litho)
3649830 James Muspratt (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: James Muspratt. Illustration for A History of the Chemical Industry in Widnes by D W F Hardie)

Humphrey Davy (engraving)
815882 Humphrey Davy (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Humphrey Davy (1778-1829), English chemist and inventor of the Davy lamp for miners

Sir Max Muspratt (b / w photo)
3649850 Sir Max Muspratt (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sir Max Muspratt)

USA, Oregon, Alvord Desert. Abstract of alkali salt lake bed. Credit as: Jean Carter / Jaynes Gallery / DanitaDelimont.com

Crosfields soap works, Warrington 1886
Various scenes in order of the interior and exterior of Joseph Crosfield & Sons, Soap Works at Bank Quarry, Warrington, Cheshire. Date: 1886

Patterns of cracked mud on dry lakebed of Harney Lake, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon

Crosfields soap works, Warrington 1886
Crosfields Soap Works, Warrington, Cheshire, England. Date: 1886

Hand holding two plastic test tubes containing soil, matching them against a pH colour chart

Rhizome and root of the alkali bulrush, Scirpus maritimus L.. Color-printed woodblock engraving by Kan en Iwasaki from Honzo Zufu, an Illustrated Guide to Medicinal Plants, 1884

Sunset at Summer Lake, Summer Lake, Oregon, USA

Desert Playa at First Light, Mesquite Flat Dunes, Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley National Park, California, USA

Davy decomposes alkali with the battery of Volta (1807)

Alkaline-encrusted streambed near Old Paria Townsite in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Utah

Alkaline-crusted streambed near Old Paria Townsite in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Utah

Cleopatra VII (69-30 BC) queen of Egypt, last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty, dissolving pearls in wine. Illustration by Frederick Augustus Sandys (1832-1904)

Joseph Crosfield & Sons soap factory at Bank Quarry, Warrington. A: Glycerine Plant B: Silicate Plant C: Alkali Plant 1: General view of works 2: Display at Liverpool Exhibition 3: Frame Room 4

Differently coloured strips of litmus paper illustrating the acid to alkali spectrum in liquids, close up

Apparatus for neutralization of acid with a measured amount of alkali with ph indicator in flask, acid half neutralized

Three jars containing red cabbage juice, turned red by adding lemon (acid), green by adding soap (alkali), and blue with nothing added

Nevada. USA. Moon over alkali playa at dawn. Railroad Valley. Great Basin

Display of household items containing alkalis including baking powder bicarbonate soap toothpaste washing up liquid
MAB-1445 Display of household items containing alkalis including baking powder bicarbonate soap toothpaste washing up liquid oven cleaner UK Mark Boulton contact details: prints@ardea.com tel

Utah. USA. Pressure ridges in salt crust. Bonneville Salt Flats. Silver Island Mountains in distance. Great Salt Lake Desert. Great Basin

Soda crystals. These are used as a domestic cleaner

Selection of common household alkalis

Invisible writing, 19th century
Invisible writing. Etching of invisible writing being carried out using sodium hypochlorite (then known as Javelle water or Javel water), an alkaline disinfectant more commonly known as bleach

Lithium atoms, computer artwork
Computer artwork of seven lithium atoms with their nucleus and the three orbiting electrons

Litmus solution added to alkali
Litmus solution being added to an alkali. Litmus is an indicator, a chemical that has a different colour depending on whether it is in an acidic or alkaline environment. In alkalis it is purple/blue

Lithium reacting with water. Lithium (Li) is a highly reactive metallic element that floats on water and reacts with it. This exothermic (heat- producing) reaction forms lithium hydroxide (LiOH)

Potassium burning in air. Potassium (K) is a soft, highly reactive, alkali metal. In air it will burn with a brilliant flame to form potassium dioxide (or potassium superoxide, KO2)

Sodium metal

Potassium metal. Freshly cut shiny surface of potassium metal. Potassium (K) is an alkali metal. It is soft enough to be cut with a knife

Lithium metal. Freshly cut shiny surfaces of lithium metal. Lithium (Li) is the lightest of the soft alkali metals. It can be cut with a knife

Sodium. Pieces of the reactive metallic element sodium (Na) stored under oil in a jar. This soft alkali metal reacts rapidly with the water and oxygen in the air

Magpie ink cap fungus (Coprinus picaceus). This fungus prefers alkaline soils. Photographed in woodland on the North Downs, Kent, UK, in October

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"Unleashing the Power of Alkali: A Journey through History and Innovation" Step back in time to 1886, where Crosfield's soap works in Warrington witnessed a remarkable reaction. Sodium, an alkali metal, fearlessly encountered water, creating a mesmerizing display of fizzing and sizzling. This captivating event marked the beginning of countless scientific breakthroughs. In this snapshot from the past, we see William Gossage captured in black and white photography. His pioneering spirit led him to explore the potential of alkalis at Crosfield's soap works. Alongside him stands John McClellan, immortalized through lithography for his contributions to this revolutionary field. Humphrey Davy's etching reminds us of his pivotal role as he unraveled the mysteries behind alkalis. His experiments paved the way for future discoveries that would shape industries around the world. Appleton Lodge emerges from another monochromatic photograph—a testament to how alkalis transformed not only science but also architecture itself. The law court building at Kano in Nigeria showcases how these innovations reached far beyond their birthplace—Warrington—to impact West Africa. The engraving featuring Humphrey Davy serves as a reminder that even great minds need inspiration. It was through collaboration and sharing knowledge that progress flourished. Henry Brunner appears before us in yet another black and white portrait—an embodiment of entrepreneurial spirit fused with scientific curiosity. He harnessed the power to revolutionize various industries worldwide. James Muspratt is depicted through lithography—a visionary who recognized how alkalis could be utilized on an industrial scale. Through his efforts, societies benefited from improved hygiene products and more efficient manufacturing processes. From sodium reacting with water at Crosfield's soap works to its transformative effects across continents, this journey highlights how alkali shaped our world over centuries past—and continues to do so today.