December Collection (#87)

Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur, 1909
Illustration showing Windridge scoring for Chelsea Football Club, during the First Division, Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur match of December 1909

The American Civil War. The outrage on the Trent
Lord Lyons communicating Earl Russells despatch to Mr.Secretary Seward. An international diplomatic crisis erupted for President Lincoln when two Confederate officials sailing towards England were

The Federal Position at Chatanooga; American Civil War, 1863
Panorama of the Federal Army lines and Tennessee River at Chatanooga, viewed from the lower ridge of Lookout Mountain, 1863

The Civil War in America. Fredericksburg
Scene of the battle between the Federals and the Confederates. Fredericksburg devastated after the battle which took place on December 13th 1862

The Civil war in America. Positions of the Federal and Confe
Positions of the Federal and Confederate pickets on the Rappahannock, at Fredericksburg, December 4th 1862. Later in December, Fredericksburg was the scene of a costly Union defeat at Maryes Heights

Italy Messina
Distant view of the harbour : on 28 December 1908, 90 percent of the town will be destroyed in an earthquake, one of the most catastrophic ever to hit Europe

Troops of the Royal Canadian Engineers, Italy; Second World
Photograph showing men of the Royal Canadian Engineers, carrying mine-detectors, moving west of Ortona, Italy, during December 1943

The Graphic Xmas no
Front cover of The Graphics Jubilee Christmas number, celebrating 50 years of publication from 1869-1919. The image shows a theatre audience watching a magical scene with a fairy centre stage

Television magazine
Front cover of Television magazine from 1928 announcing that Britain leads the world in television

Ralston Wheat Cereal Ad
Two little boys combine muscles and it looks as if one hasn t been enjoying the healthy, nutritional benefits of Ralston Wheat Cereal

Roald Amundsen calculating his position, South Pole, 1911
Illustration showing how the members of Roald Amundsens Antarctic Expedition of 1910-12 calculated their position, using a sextant and an artificial horizon; South Pole, 1911

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

Amundsen Antarctic Expedition at the South Pole, 1911
Illustration showing members of the Amundsen Antarctic Expedition of 1910-12, at the South Pole, checking their position using a sextant and an artificial horizon

Gold at Monte Rosa 6
The miners of Monte Rosa, Italy, process to their church on the festival of their patron, saint Barbaras Day, 14 December

Sven Hedin to Tibet - 2
Hedin builds a raft and 17 September 1899 he sets out for Yanghi-Koul, which he reaches on 7 December, meeting up wuith his supply caravan which has traveled by land

Battle of Blood River
Cast iron prairie schooners of the Boer Voortrekker Laager on the site of the Battle of Blood River. The Zulus lost nearly 3000 men and the Ncome river became red with their blood

Queen Victoria visiting HMS Resolute, Cowes, 1856
Engraving showing Queen Victoria of Great Britain boarding the Arctic exploration ship HMS Resolute in Cowes Harbour, 15th December 1856

Dockers Strike
Dockers declare la greve a l outrance - an all-out strike to the finish

Edward & Wallis Simpson
EDWARD VIII and Mrs Wallis Simpson during the Kings summer holiday to Rab in Yugoslavia in September 1936. The King was to abdicate in December of that year

Macmahon Yields
Macmahon is obliged to abandon his conservative principles and to go along with the growing sentiments of Republicanism

SS Berengaria leaving Southampton for Jarrow, 1938
Photograph of the Cunard Liner Berengaria heading out of Southampton, with tugs, to head to Jarrow to be broken up, December 1938

German Xmas Vision
A German soldier in the trenches imagines himself with his family at Christmas time

Scottish Misery
A Scottish soldier plays mournfully on his bagpipes, nose dripping and unconsoled by whisky or jam, at the first wartime Christmas

Native Allies
The Allies native allies - from India and Africa - are none too pleased to be taken prisoners by the Germans in the first winter of the war

SS Umbria, 1893
Engraving of the Cunard steamship Umbria. During a crossing from Queenstown to New York in December 1892, the Umbrias propellor shaft broke and she was disabled

HMS Caesar, 1905
Photograph of HMS Caesar ; the British Naval Representative at the Norwegian Royal Inauguration, December 1905. This vessel, the flagship of the second in command of the Channel Squadron

Coup: Casualties
As troops supporting Napoleon clear the streets of Paris, those unfortunate enough to be in the line of fire are carried to the hospitals

Coup: Proclamations
At the Imprimerie Nationale, Napoleons proclamations are read out to the people : some are jubilant, others horrified

Coup: after Clearing
The boulevard Montmartre after troops supporting Napoleon have cleared the streets of Republicans and other dissidents

Coup : Mairie Forced
Troops loyal to Napoleon take over the Mairie of the 4th arrondissement, Paris

Coup: Army Bivouac
Bivouac of troops loyal to Napoleon, outside the Hotel de Ville, Paris

Electing a President
General Cavaignac looks on with dismay, Louis Napoleon waits complacently, as France rejects monarchy in favour of a Republic. Napoleon has his own ideas about that

Coup: Streets Cleared
The boulevards after they have been cleared of insurgents by troops supporting Napoleon

Napoleon Reviews Troops
Napoleon Bonaparte, freshly elected president, reviews his troops in the place de la Concorde, Paris

Coup: Resistance
Napoleons coup triggers popular resistance : Republicans build barricades in the streets of Paris

Napoleon Swears Oath
A clear winner in the Presidential elections, Louis Napoleon swears to uphold the constitution : he will keep his word for two or three years

Coup: Dissidents
Dissidents are despatched from Brest to French prisons in South America

Coup: Berryer Protests
From the window of the mairie of the 10th arrondissement, Paris, Berryer protests against Napoleons coup - but theres not much he can do to stop the take-over

Duc D orleans as Deputy
The duc d Orleans, nominal heir to the throne, speaks in the Chambre des Deputes : but France has had enough of kings for the time being

Coup: Deputies Expelled
The Chambre des Deputes is closed : members are refused admission by troops loyal to Napoleon

Napoleon Opposed
Not everyone is thrilled by the popularity of Napoleon : a gardien de la paix tears down his manifesto when it is posted on a Paris wall

Coup: Troops Bivouac
Troops supporting Napoleon bivouac at the Conciergerie, near the Sainte Chapelle on the ile de la Cite, Paris

French Elections
After Napoleons coup, French voters choose their government. Date: 20 December 1851

Coup : Thiers Arrested
Adolphe Thiers, Napoleons most formidable political opponent, is arrested by troops loyal to Napoleon

Coup : Judges Evicted
High Court judges are evicted by troops loyal to Napoleon

Coup: Street Fighting
Street fighting at the Porte Saint-Denis, Paris, where the Republicans construct one of their biggest barricades : but they succumb to the military

Presidential Elections
Electioneering for the president : a lady favours Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon III Drives
Napoleon Bonaparte, elected president by a landslide, drives to the Elysee palace where he will mature his plans to restore the Empire

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"December: A Kaleidoscope of Moments and Memories" As the year draws to a close, December unveils its vibrant colors like a mesmerizing rainbow illustration by Arthur Ferrier. It paints the world with hues of hope and reflection, reminding us of the beauty that exists even in the darkest times. In this month of festivities, our hearts find solace within "A House Full" by Cecil Aldin. Warmth fills every corner as loved ones gather, creating cherished memories that will forever be etched in our souls. Like an Earthrise photograph turned artwork, December brings moments of awe-inspiring unity. We remember the Christmas Truce of 1914 during WW1 when enemies laid down their weapons to celebrate peace together. It serves as a reminder that humanity's capacity for compassion can transcend even the harshest conflicts. Yet amidst such harmony, there are reminders of struggle and sacrifice. The sight of a German Panzer tank from 1944 or British guns dashing through French towns reminds us of those who fought bravely for freedom and justice. It also marks new beginnings and aspirations for higher education. As students embark on their academic journeys, they carry dreams that will shape their futures like Don Bradman going out to bat for the last time in Melbourne Cricket Ground – determination radiating from his every step. Just as Apollo 17 astronauts ventured into space with curiosity and courage, we too embrace December's spirit of exploration. It encourages us to reach beyond our limits and discover new frontiers within ourselves. However, history is not without its scars; it bears witness to human suffering like "The Bombardment of Hartlepools" captured by James Clark. These somber events remind us never to forget past atrocities so we may strive towards a future free from violence and injustice. On HMS Albion (R07), once used as a Commando Carrier, bravery permeates every deck – a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who protect and serve.