Back Ground Collection (page 20)

British Paratroops on exercise in England; Second World War
Photograph showing a group of British paratroops readying themselves after landing, during an exercise taking place in England in 1944

HMS Alert towing HMS Discovery through Icebergs, British
Engraving showing HMS Alert towing HMS Discovery through icebergs, with Disco Island in the background, as seen from HMS Valorous (left foreground) during the British Arctic Expedition of 1875-1876

San Francisco, California, 1850
Engraving showing San Francisco, viewed from the South-West, 1850. Founded as a gold rush town, San Francisco had a population of only 10-15, 000 people at this time

Women Cyclists in a City, 1892
Engraving showing two women cyclists on their tricycles, pedalling along a busy road. In the background can be seen a hanson cab and a horse-drawn omnibus

Breaking up of the ice, Arctic, c. 1849
Engraving of an imaginary scene showing a British Arctic expedition in the Arctic, c.1849. The engraving shows a group of men standing on the rapidly breaking up ice pack

A Surgeon examining an Immigrant, Ellis Island, New York, 19
Illustration showing a well dressed female immigrant having her eyes examined for infectious diseases by a doctor at Ellis Island in New York, 1906. In the background a baby is being examined

The Landing Stage at Liverpool Docks, 1884
Engraving showing the wooden landing stage at Liverpool docks, crowded with people, with steam ships on the river Mersey in the background, 1884

Last horse-drawn mail van
The last horse drawn mail van, Peter, leaving K.E.B on Saturday 24th September 1949. In the background are the still bomb-damaged streets of the St. Pauls area of London. Date: 24th September 1949

H. M. Stanleys Anglo-American Expedition to Central Africa
Engraving showing a scene, during Sir Henry Morton Stanleys Anglo-American expedition of 1874-1877, in the Central African forest

Icebergs and the Aurora Borealis, Arctic, c. 1849
Engraving of an imaginary scene showing a British Arctic expedition in the Arctic, c.1849. The engraving shows two ships in the background, with icebergs, walruses

America. An artist in the Far West, part III. Our camp at Mu
Horses tethered to a tree and tents pitched in the background in typical camp scene

An Underground Drinking Cellar, San Francisco, 1884
Engraving showing an underground drinking cellar with, in the background, a stock index board marked on the wall, San Francisco, 1884

American Indians. Native Canoe on the coast of British Colum
Fierce looking Indians, men, women and children, paddling canoe with a schooner in the background

The Border between the United States and British Columbia, c
Panorama showing part of the boundary line between the United States and British Columbia, with Mount Baker in the background

PRS Discovery and hydrogen balloon, Antarctic, 1902
Photograph showing members of the National Antarctic Expedition of 1901-4 deflating an hydrogen balloon, with the Polar Research Ship Discovery in the background, Antarctic, 4th February 1902

A Royal Galleon in the Pool of London, 16th century
Illustration of an Elizabethan galleon in Pool of London, from The Sphere 24th November 1913. A royal barge appears in the foreground and the old London Bridge and a Dutch galleon in the background

Emigrants enjoying fine weather on the deck of their ship, 1
Engraving showing emigrant passengers on deck amusing themselves; smoking, reading and looking at the ocean as they travel to Australia, 1887

Passengers on the deck of a Trans-Atlantic steamer, 1888
Engraving showing passengers on a trans-Atlantic steamship gathered round the capstan on the deck of the ship, 1888. The passengers shown were involved in buying and selling of pool tickets

American Indians. The Assiniboine and Saskatchewan Exploring
Ojibway Indians, wearing wraps and feathers in their hair, with thatch triangular huts in the background and what looks like a washing line

HMS Alert and HMS Discovery seen from the deck of HMS V
Engraving showing HMS Alert and HMS Discovery (both in the background) parting company with HMS Valorous (foreground) at the beginning of the British Arctic Expedition of 1875-1876

Winter Quarters, Arctic Explorers, c. 1849
Engraving of an imaginary scene showing a British Arctic expedition in the Arctic, c.1849. The engraving shows a group of men building an ice house in the foreground

On the Ponte della Paglia: Going to the Council
Engraving from a painting by H.Wallis, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1876, entitled On the Ponte della Paglia: Going to the Council

American Indians. American Sketches. Prairie travellers: Ind
A wagon pulled by four horses crossing uneven ground. The Indians can be glimpsed in the background

San Francisco, California, 1851
Engraving showing the city of San Francisco with Yerba Buena Island in the background. On 3rd May 1851 San Francisco was subject to a terrible fire and only days later, on 15th May

Passengers claiming luggage at Liverpool Railway Station, 18
Engraving of the crowded Liverpool railway station, with children sitting on baggage in the foreground, and a huge luggage trolley holding hundreds of trunks in the background

Attacking Sebastopol
Movement of troops against a background of smoke from the burning town

Hauling ships guns up Montmartre, Paris; Franco-Prussian Wa
Illustration showing a gun carriage being hauled up the Buttes Montmartre, Paris, with the two famous windmills in the background, 1871. This sketch was sent out of Paris by balloon post

The Civil War in America. Re-occupation of Jackson, Missippi
Ladies are seen waving their handkerchiefs at the advancing Confederate soldiers. Jackson burns in the background

The Civil War in America: View from the West of Richmond, Vi
Panoramic view of Richmond, Virginia, capital of the Confederate States with an army encampment in the background

The Zulu war, the Burning of Ulundi. From a sketch by an ILN
British army massed with infantry and several gun carriages, burning in the background in the Zulu capital Ulundi, where the British made their final defeat of the Zulus on 4th July 1879

Zulu war. In Memorium - the Late Prince Imperial. In Zululan
The Prince mounted, with the distinctive rocky African landscape in the background

American Civil war. Departure of the Great Eastern from the
Soldiers in full uniform marching up the gangplank of the troop carrier, the Great Eastern, with the docks of Liverpool in the background

The zulu wars. Ambassadors from King Cetewayo (Cetshwayo) to
Zulu elders seated in the British army camp waiting to negotiate the end of hostilities in the Zulu wars. British troops and tents are seen in the background

Marlborough House, London, 1936
Photograph showing Marlborough House, with the personal standard of Queen Mary flying over it (left of image), London, 1936

Germany Leipzig
Street scene : the Georgenhaus, with its depiction of Saint George, is in the background

The Amundsen Antarctic Expedition camping on the Level Barri
Photograph showing the sledge team of the Amundsen Antarctic Expedition camping on the Level Barrier, on their way to the South Pole, 1911

Antarctic Expedition Sledge, c. 1903
Photograph showing a laden sledge of the National Antarctic Expedition of 1901-04. A sledge this size would have been packed with supplies for three men of a sledging party

Red-Haired Girl
A colourful design showing the head and shoulders of a red headed girl against a floral checked background

Sultanje, Iraq
Sultanje (or Sultania) in northern Iraq, with the Taurus mountains in the background : but we have not yet been able to identify this town

Edwardian Upper Classes
The wealthy Edwardian upper classes enjoy strolling around the gardens of their country estate, while their servants are lined up outside the mansion in the background

Tea and Tattle by Cyril R. Hallward
Cosy scene showing a group of women in a typical late Victorian sitting room or parlour. The picture shows them drinking tea and talking

Power Station
An industrial landscape in Britain, showing power plant with cooling towers in the background

On board a passenger ship, Aden, 1891
Engraving of a scene on the deck of a passenger ship anchored off Aden; European passengers are pictured throwing coins into the water for local children to dive for

Fencing on board a Troopship, 1876
Engraving of soldiers fencing on board a troopship, perhaps the Himalaya - judging by lifebelt in the background. When troops were ordered to distant wars or postings

A Look Out Up the Mast
Engraving showing a Royal Navy seaman up the mast of a Cruiser, keeping a lookout for the enemy with a telescope, 1890. In the background some signals have been run up another mast

Church Parade on board a Battleship, Gibraltar, 1906
Photograph of a Sunday Church Parade on board a British Battleship, of the Atlantic Fleet, at Gibraltar. The ships company can be seen assembling here on the deck for prayers

Young Cloudesley Shovel Swimming With Despatches
Engraving taken from the painting Young Cloudesley Shovel Swimming with Despatches through the Enemys Fire. In the background can be seen the stern of a 16th or 17th century warship

Boatmen on the Malabar Coast, India, 1877
Engraving of several native oared vessels, one named the Calicut, as used on the Malabar Coast of India, circa 1877. In the background can be seen two, double masted, lanteen sailing dhows

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"Unveiling the Rich Tapestry of Background: From Chesterfield to Machu Picchu" Step into the enchanting world of background, where captivating stories unfold against various backdrops. Explore the picturesque landscapes of England's charming town, Chesterfield, as it sets the stage for extraordinary tales. Intriguingly, an advert for Sandeman Port transports us to exotic destinations like never before. Join Colonel Norton on his daring expedition to Mount Everest in 1924, standing tall at a staggering 28, 000 ft. The sheer audacity and determination leave us awe-inspired. Venturing further into cultural realms, we stumble upon Little India's vibrant streets adorned with pictures of Hindu Gods for sale. Each deity whispers ancient legends and spiritual wisdom that captivate our senses. Delving deeper into the mysteries of existence, we encounter the cosmic microwave background - a celestial symphony echoing remnants from time immemorial. Its ethereal presence reminds us of our place in this vast universe. Artistic wonders unfurl as we gaze upon a famous painting depicting winged heads of 80 Ethiopian cherubs adorning a grand ceiling. Their divine beauty transcends boundaries and invites contemplation on art's ability to transport souls beyond mortal confines. History comes alive through Queen Victoria and Abdul Karim's unlikely friendship captured in an evocative photograph from c. 1890. This remarkable bond challenges societal norms while showcasing humanity's capacity for connection across cultures. The coastal charm beckons us next as Southend-On-Sea reveals its red English post box nestled within a rustic brick wall—a symbol both nostalgic and enduring amidst changing times. Transporting ourselves back to wartime Britain in 1942, Lancaster Bombers stand ready for takeoff—an indomitable spirit embodied by brave souls who defended freedom with unwavering courage. Journeying across continents brings us face-to-face with Machu Picchu's majestic ruins embraced by Huayna Picchu.