Crossing Sweeper Collection

The consequences of the crash of many railway companies
3733989 The consequences of the crash of many railway companies. by Leech, John (1817-64); (add.info.: Cartoon commenting on the consequences of the crash of many railway companies)

The Crossing Sweeper, "Spare a copper, please, Colonel"(colour litho)
2775732 The Crossing Sweeper, " Spare a copper, please, Colonel" (colour litho) by Adams, William Dacres (1864-1951); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Crossing Sweeper)

Mansion House and Cheapside, from London As It Is, engraved and pub
NP125787 Mansion House and Cheapside, from London As It Is, engraved and pub. by the artist, 1842 (colour litho) by Boys, Thomas Shotter (1803-74); 31.8x42.6 cm; Private Collection; English

Regent Street looking towards the Quadrant with Hanover Chapel in the foreground
GHL6188 Regent Street looking towards the Quadrant with Hanover Chapel in the foreground and shoppers promenading, 1842 (litho) by Boys, Thomas Shotter (1803-74); London Metropolitan Archives

A woman giving the crossing sweeper a warm dinner. By Mary Ellen Edwards (1838-1934
5615912 A woman giving the crossing sweeper a warm dinner. By Mary Ellen Edwards (1838-1934) an English artist, 1880 (engraving) by Edwards

The New Post-Office Letter-Box, at the Corner of Fleet Street and Farringdon Street
ILN121248 The New Post-Office Letter-Box, at the Corner of Fleet Street and Farringdon Street, from The Illustrated London News, 24th March 1855 (engraving) (b&w photo) by English School

Poor Jo (engraving)
1094760 Poor Jo (engraving) by Copping, Harold (1863-1932); Private Collection; (add.info.: Poor Jo. Digitally cleaned image.); © Look and Learn

The Crossing Sweeper (b / w photo)
813878 The Crossing Sweeper (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Crossing Sweeper.); Look and Learn / Elgar Collection

The Crossing Sweeper (engraving)
602234 The Crossing Sweeper (engraving) by Meadows, Joseph Kenny (1770-1874) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Characters about town - the Crossing Sweeper)

Bermuda, the Convict Establishment (engraving)
1607221 Bermuda, the Convict Establishment (engraving) by Meadows, Joseph Kenny (1770-1874) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bermuda, the Convict Establishment)

Jo. from Bleak House, by Charles Dickens, 1923 (colour litho)
KDC465779 Jo. from Bleak House, by Charles Dickens, 1923 (colour litho) by Clarke, Joseph Clayton (Kyd) (1856-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: Young homeless boy)

Regent Street Looking Towards the Quadrant, from London As It Is
NP125777 Regent Street Looking Towards the Quadrant, from London As It Is, engraved and pub. by the artist, 1842 (colour litho) by Boys

A crossing-sweeper, 1791
A crossing-sweeper clearing the street for a fashionably dressed woman, 1791

Boy crossing sweeper, 1893. Crossing sweepers could earn a few pence by sweeping the road clean of horse droppings and any other such dirt so that persons higher up the social ladder could cross

Going Down to the House, 1866. Artist: John Tenniel
Going Down to the House, 1866. Lord Russell remarks Well, Bright, What do you Want? Jonny Bright replies Anything your Honour is Willing to Give me Now

The Boy for our Money, 1860. Diz says: Better let me Carry it for yer, Sir!. John Bull replies: Never again! I Tried you Before

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"The Forgotten Heroes: Crossing Sweepers in the Aftermath of Railway Crashes" In the wake of numerous railway company crashes, a silent figure emerges amidst the chaos - the crossing sweeper. With their broom in hand and hope in their eyes, they navigate through the debris left behind by these catastrophic events. One such depiction captures this poignant scene perfectly - "Spare a copper, please, Colonel, " cries out a young crossing sweeper depicted in a vibrant colour lithograph. The image showcases Mansion House and Cheapside as witnesses to this struggle for survival. As we peer into another engraving titled "Regent Street looking towards the Quadrant with Hanover Chapel in the foreground, " we catch sight of yet another crossing sweeper diligently sweeping away remnants of shattered dreams. But not all is lost for these unsung heroes. In Mary Ellen Edwards' heartwarming artwork, we witness an act of kindness as a woman offers a warm dinner to a weary crossing sweeper. It serves as a reminder that even amidst despair, compassion can still flourish. The hustle and bustle continue on Fleet Street and Farringdon Street corner where "The New Post-Office Letter-Box" stands tall. Here too stands our humble crossing sweeper, tirelessly working to keep his surroundings clean despite his own hardships. A haunting engraving entitled "Poor Jo" reminds us that many crossing sweepers were children who found themselves trapped within this unforgiving cycle of poverty. Charles Dickens himself immortalized one such character named Jo from Bleak House – an embodiment of innocence lost within society's indifference. Through various mediums like engravings and black-and-white photographs, artists have sought to capture both the resilience and vulnerability embodied by these individuals known simply as "the crossing sweepers. " Their tireless efforts serve as reminders that even amidst societal upheaval or convict establishments like Bermuda portrayed in engravings; there are those who remain steadfast in their pursuit of survival.