Blacking Collection

Advertisement for Cherry Blossom boot polish (colour litho)
6030595 Advertisement for Cherry Blossom boot polish (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

A Charlatan Selling Blacking in the Piazza Barberini in Rome, 1840-1849. Creator: Wilhelm Marstrand
A Charlatan Selling Blacking in the Piazza Barberini in Rome, 1840-1849

Shoe Blacking Bottle, c. 1939. Creator: Van Silvay
Shoe Blacking Bottle, c. 1939

Black your Boots, Sir? (engraving)
6010487 Black your Boots, Sir? (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Black your Boots, Sir)

Cartoon, E W Mackney, Ethiopian entertainer (blackface minstrel). 1880s

Poster advertising J. E. Hurst & Sons Standard Remedies - Brighter Hours will Come
NYH192099 Poster advertising J.E. Hurst & Sons Standard Remedies - Brighter Hours will Come (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Collection of the New-York Historical Society

Silver Street Boys School fancy dress group
Silver Street Boys School advanced class fancy dress group, most of them with blacked-up faces and hands. Their names are: Harold Blanchard, Philip Wilson, Arthur Thorne, Ernest Trafford

Shoe black (shoeshine boy) and client, in 18th century style. 18th century

Scene inside a blacking factory, Holborn, London
Scene inside the packing warehouse of the Day and Martin blacking factory, Holborn, London. Date: 1842

Shoeshiner 1867
What a polish! The youngsters were astonished! The gentlemen delighted! Date: 1867

Huntley Wright and Gracie Leigh in The Cingalee, or Sunny Ceylon, a musical play about tea planters in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), which opened at Dalys Theatre, London, in 1904. circa 1904

Shoe-Black Brigade 1851
The Shoe-Black Brigade were an offshoot of the Ragged School system. Date: 1851

Page of Victorian adverts 1889
A variety of advertisements in The Graphic dated August 1889, showing Nuda Veritas hair restorer, Nubian, black polish for boots and shoes, Nortons Camomile Pills, for indigestion

Victorian Scrap -- Boot Black. late 19th century

AD: SHOE POLISH, 1890. American magazine advertisement for Browns French Dressing shoe polish, 1890

AD: TOILETRIES, 1890. American magazine advertisements fo various mens and womens toiletries, 1890

Happy Hampstead - Coster Saleswoman at Hampstead Fair, who also seems quite open to offers for her noisy offspring! Date: 1899

RACEHORSE: GOLDSMITH MAID. The racehorse Goldsmith Maid. Lithograph published by the Vacuum Oil Company which makes blacking for harnesses, c1874

Police Squad
Led by their sergeant, a clutch of constables march to their duties, passing a shoe black who uses only Carrs Blacking - no doubt this is an advertisement ?

Horse Van on the Ice
For a bet of 100 gunieas Mr Henry Hunt Jnr. drove his Fathers Matchless Blacking horse-drawn van across and back upon the ice of a frozen Serpentine in Hyde Park

Advert / Blacking / Polish
Diana Blackings and Polishes

Children / London Street
Children on a London Street: one is posting a letter, another is taking her dog for a walk, and a little boy is blacking shoes

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Step into the past with Cherry Blossom boot polish - a timeless tradition in shoe care. This vintage advertisement, a stunning colour lithograph from 1889, captures the essence of Victorian elegance and sophistication. The page is filled with an array of intriguing adverts, showcasing the diverse products that were popular during this era. One standout item is the Shoe Blacking Bottle from 1939, created by Van Silvay. Its classic design exudes nostalgia and reminds us of simpler times when taking care of our footwear was a cherished ritual. In another engraving titled 'Black your Boots, Sir?', we witness the charm and convenience of having a shoeshine boy at your service. Ethiopian entertainer E. W Mackney adds a touch of humor to our journey through time with his delightful cartoon portrayal. It serves as a reminder that even in those days, shoe blacking was not just about practicality but also about entertainment and joy. Moving forward to more recent times, we encounter posters advertising J. E Hurst & Sons Standard Remedies - Brighter Hours will Come'. These advertisements remind us that amidst life's challenges, there is always hope for brighter days ahead. The Silver Street Boys School fancy dress group showcases how even young boys understood the importance of well-polished shoes as they proudly display their shiny footwear. Meanwhile, inside a blacking factory in Holborn, London - where this essential product was manufactured - workers diligently carried out their tasks to ensure quality shoe care for all. In 1867, shoeshiners were an integral part of society; their expertise sought after by individuals who desired impeccable shoes. And let's not forget about theatrical performances like 'The Cingalee', starring Huntley Wright and Gracie Leigh – where polished shoes played an important role in creating captivating characters on stage. Lastly but certainly not least are the Bacup Coconut Dancers who captivate audiences with their vibrant costumes and lively performances.