Belisha Collection

Patrons of the Cafe Royal
Sketches by H. H. Harris of various well-known artists, writers and celebrities of the 1930s who were regular patrons of the Cafe Royal in Regent Street, London

BBC Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London W1, opened in 1932. Date: circa early 1930s

The Secretary of State for War in Paris
British Secretary of State for War Leslie Hore-Belisha (1893-1957) attending a banquet of the Franco-British Association in Paris

Comic postcard, Woman driver and policeman Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Dogs at the seaside Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Man rushing to find a toilet Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Women at pedestrian crossing with Belisha beacon Date: circa 1930s

Comic postcard, Drunken man with Belisha beacon and policeman Date: circa 1930s

Comic postcard, Dog saying his prayers - bless Mr Belisha, who introduced the Belisha Beacon in 1935 - no doubt a convenience for many dogs! Date: circa late 1930s

Comic postcard, Two dogs in the desert Date: 20th century

Town centre crossing, Bromley, Kent
Pedestrians crossing the road, with a van advertising Kennedys Sausages, town centre of Bromley, Kent. Date: circa 1950s

Poster, Super Dodgems at the Fairground

Army Council meeting around table in War Office - Caption reads - Mr Hore-Belisha, Secretary of State for War, in Council with Chief of Imperial General Staff. Date: 1939

Road safety poster, Zebra Crossings
Road safety poster for children -- for safetys sake use the Zebra Crossings. Z is for Zebra,s for his Stripes

Comic postcard, Drunken man in the street, hanging onto a belisha beacon, seeing triple and feeling ill Date: 20th century

Teapot in the shape of a Howitzer artillery gun, WW1
Teapot in the shape of a Howitzer artillery gun, manufactured by G. Clews & Co, Belisha Registered No. 837446. Trench Art

Crimean Monument and drinking fountain, Moorhead, Nelson Hotel, in background, 1959
Erected in Memory of the Sheffield soldiers and sailors whose lives were lost in The Crimea. The guns at the base of the monument were captured from the Russians

Traffic accident in Brandon Grove, Ilford
A night time traffic accident in Brandon Grove, Ilford, Essex. The bollard in the middle of the road says Keep Left, but this car kept a little too far to the left

Old Maid card game - Mr. Zebra Crossing. circa 1950s

Happy Families - Mr Parker. circa 1940s

Woman police officer guiding little girl across the road and holding up her hand to an oncoming car, on the corner of Vincent Square, London SW1. Date: circa 1930s

Belisha Beacon; Three ladies waiting to cross the road at a zebra crossing in London
1956: Three ladies waiting to cross the road at a zebra crossing in London, marked by a Belisha beacon. In the distance can be seen the Duke of Yorks Column in Waterloo Place

Blind man with guide dog crossing the road
A blind man with his guide dog crossing the road at a zebra crossing. Date: circa 1960s

Tram in Birmingham
A lovely photographic postcard depicting the number 39 tram rounding a corner in Birmingham, England. The upper level has an elegant front balcony. It is the 430th tram of the fleet!

Traffic under Control
Traffic under control - an early form of Belisha beacon tells drivers to stop when its red, and the policemans outstretched arms tell you to do as the light tells you

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"Belisha: A Symbol of Road Safety and British Humor" Step into the world of Belisha, a name that has become synonymous with road safety in the bustling streets of London. From its humble beginnings at BBC Broadcasting House on Portland Place, London W1, to being embraced by patrons of the iconic Cafe Royal, it has left an indelible mark on British culture. Intriguingly enough, it was during a meeting between The Secretary of State for War in Paris and his counterparts that the concept first took shape. Inspired by a desire to enhance road safety, they envisioned a revolutionary solution - zebra crossings adorned with bright orange beacons known as "Belisha beacons. " Soon after their introduction, these eye-catching beacons became an integral part of Britain's urban landscape. They were not only practical but also inspired creativity and humor among artists and writers alike. One such example is a teapot in the shape of a Howitzer artillery gun from World War I era - an unexpected tribute to both history and road safety. As time went on, comic postcards featuring Belisha began to circulate widely. These humorous illustrations depicted various scenarios ranging from women drivers encountering policemen to dogs enjoying seaside adventures. Even mundane situations like rushing to find a toilet or saying prayers had their own comedic twist when combined with Mr. Belisha. One notable image captured circa 1930s portrays women standing at pedestrian crossings accompanied by the ever-present Belisha beacon - showcasing how this simple invention became ingrained in everyday life while adding charm and character to street scenes across Britain. Not limited solely to visual representations, even monuments paid homage to this beloved symbol. The Crimean Monument and drinking fountain located near Moorhead featured Nelson Hotel as its backdrop back in 1959 – serving as another reminder of how deeply embedded Belisha had become within society. Beyond its aesthetic appeal lies an important message about road safety.