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Drayman Collection

A drayman, also known as a brewers drayman, was an essential figure in the brewing industry

Background imageDrayman Collection: Drayman and their horses from the Scottish and Newcastle Breweries doing their deliveries

Drayman and their horses from the Scottish and Newcastle Breweries doing their deliveries in 1977

Background imageDrayman Collection: Tetley shire horses, Roundhay Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire, 1968. Artist: Michael Walters

Tetley shire horses, Roundhay Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire, 1968. Artist: Michael Walters
Tetley shire horses, Roundhay Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire, 1968. The world famous shire horses gave service to the company for 184 years

Background imageDrayman Collection: A Brewers Drayman

A Brewers Drayman
A brewers drayman, London Date: 1827

Background imageDrayman Collection: Draymen and their horses from the Vaux Brewery in Sunderland in 1964

Draymen and their horses from the Vaux Brewery in Sunderland in 1964

Background imageDrayman Collection: Photograph of Jolly Drayman PH, Gravesend, Kent

Photograph of Jolly Drayman PH, Gravesend, Kent. The main side of the print (shown here) depicts: Rear view of Pub. The back of the print (available on request) details: Trading Record 1929

Background imageDrayman Collection: Barn Tavern, Highbury, c. 1900 (b / w photo)

Barn Tavern, Highbury, c. 1900 (b / w photo)
XJF359040 Barn Tavern, Highbury, c.1900 (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

Background imageDrayman Collection: Dray horse, Guinness Brewery, Dublin, Ireland (b / w photo)

Dray horse, Guinness Brewery, Dublin, Ireland (b / w photo)
6029987 Dray horse, Guinness Brewery, Dublin, Ireland (b/w photo) by Irish Photographer (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Dray horse, Guinness Brewery, Dublin)

Background imageDrayman Collection: Drayman (coloured engraving)

Drayman (coloured engraving)
610513 Drayman (coloured engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Drayman. Illustration for Picturesque Representations of the Dress and Manners of the English)

Background imageDrayman Collection: Various carts (engraving)

Various carts (engraving)
STC255690 Various carts (engraving) by Rostagni, Francesco (18th century); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; Italian, out of copyright

Background imageDrayman Collection: Brewers, from Costume of Great Britain published by William Miller

Brewers, from Costume of Great Britain published by William Miller
STC137311 Brewers, from Costume of Great Britain published by William Miller, 1805 (colour litho) by Pyne, William Henry (1769-1843); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English

Background imageDrayman Collection: Two fine dray horses driven by Mr. James Peach in 1964

Two fine dray horses driven by Mr. James Peach in 1964

Background imageDrayman Collection: The oldest driver of a team of dray horses for a Sunderland Brewery, is Mr

The oldest driver of a team of dray horses for a Sunderland Brewery, is Mr. Frank Wright, who is an expert at controlling the powerfull horses in 1964

Background imageDrayman Collection: A horse tanker leaves Vaux Brewery, Sunderland on deliveries in 1979

A horse tanker leaves Vaux Brewery, Sunderland on deliveries in 1979

Background imageDrayman Collection: Whitbreads Shirehorses in St. Thomass Street leading horses hengist

Whitbreads Shirehorses in St. Thomass Street leading horses hengist and Horsa with Gilbert and Sullivan behind in 1973

Background imageDrayman Collection: Driver John Lawless is dwarfed by the leading shirehorses Hengist and Horsa

Driver John Lawless is dwarfed by the leading shirehorses Hengist and Horsa, Whitbreads Shirehorses in 1973

Background imageDrayman Collection: A wagon from the Vaux Brewery being led by two Persherons in 1986

A wagon from the Vaux Brewery being led by two Persherons in 1986

Background imageDrayman Collection: Thomas Greenlay with the Vaux Breweries Gelderlanders in 1986

Thomas Greenlay with the Vaux Breweries Gelderlanders in 1986

Background imageDrayman Collection: Draymen Jim Evans (Batman) and Eric Wilson (Robin) deliver beer at Easington in 1977

Draymen Jim Evans (Batman) and Eric Wilson (Robin) deliver beer at Easington in 1977

Background imageDrayman Collection: The harness room at the Vaux Brewery in 1986

The harness room at the Vaux Brewery in 1986

Background imageDrayman Collection: Lowering casks into cellar 1900

Lowering casks into cellar 1900
Lowering casks into publicans cellar in London. Date: 1900

Background imageDrayman Collection: House of the Man of Ross, 1898. Creator: Unknown

House of the Man of Ross, 1898. Creator: Unknown
House of the " Man of Ross", 1898. Home of John Kyrle (1637-1724), known as " the Man of Ross" English philanthropist who inherited the family estate including a house overlooking

Background imageDrayman Collection: Brewers Dray, 1872. Creator: Gustave Doré

Brewers Dray, 1872. Creator: Gustave Doré
Brewers Dray, 1872. From, " LONDON. A Pilgrimage" by Gustave Dore and Blanchard Jerrold. [Grant and Co. 72-78, Turnmill Street, E.C. 1872]

Background imageDrayman Collection: St. Katherines Dock, 1872. Creator: Gustave Doré

St. Katherines Dock, 1872. Creator: Gustave Doré
St. Katherines Dock, 1872. When St Katharine Docks were built by engineer Thomas Telford, he specified warehouses designed by architect Philip Hardwick be built on the quayside so goods could be

Background imageDrayman Collection: The New Inn, Gloucester, 1936. Creator: Unknown

The New Inn, Gloucester, 1936. Creator: Unknown
The New Inn, Gloucester, 1936. The New Inn public house, hotel and restaurant, timber framed medieval courtyard, Grade I listed

Background imageDrayman Collection: The Flying Horse, Nottingham, 1936. Creator: Unknown

The Flying Horse, Nottingham, 1936. Creator: Unknown
The Flying Horse, Nottingham, 1936. The Flying Horse Inn, former public house established around 1483, Grade II listed building. From " Old Inns - A Series of 40", 1936. [W. D. & H. O

Background imageDrayman Collection: Two ale brewers draymen carrying a barrel between them, c1830

Two ale brewers draymen carrying a barrel between them, c1830

Background imageDrayman Collection: Draymen from Tetley & Walker, Leeds, West Yorkshire, 1969. Artist: Michael Walters

Draymen from Tetley & Walker, Leeds, West Yorkshire, 1969. Artist: Michael Walters
Draymen from Tetley & Walker, Leeds, West Yorkshire, 1969. Draymen unloading beer barrels during a delivery to a pub

Background imageDrayman Collection: Tetley shire horses and dray in front of Micklegate Bar, York, North Yorkshire, 1969

Tetley shire horses and dray in front of Micklegate Bar, York, North Yorkshire, 1969. The world famous shire horses gave service to the company for 184 years

Background imageDrayman Collection: Tetley shire horses outside York Minster, North Yorkshire, 1969. Artist: Michael Walters

Tetley shire horses outside York Minster, North Yorkshire, 1969. Artist: Michael Walters
Tetley shire horses outside York Minster, North Yorkshire, 1969. The world famous shire horses gave service to the company for 184 years

Background imageDrayman Collection: Tetley shire horses in the Shambles, York, North Yorkshire, 1969. Artist: Michael Walters

Tetley shire horses in the Shambles, York, North Yorkshire, 1969. Artist: Michael Walters
Tetley shire horses in the Shambles, York, North Yorkshire, 1969. The world famous shire horses gave service to the company for 184 years

Background imageDrayman Collection: Jennings dray, Georgian festival, Cockermouth, Cumbria

Jennings dray, Georgian festival, Cockermouth, Cumbria. Founded in Lorton in 1828 Jennings was Cumbrias largest brewery. The company moved to Cockermouth in 1874

Background imageDrayman Collection: St Martin s-in-the-Fields, 1888, (c1915). Artist: William Logsdail

St Martin s-in-the-Fields, 1888, (c1915). Artist: William Logsdail
St Martin s-in-the-Fields, 1888, (c1915). Held at Tate Britain, London. From Famous Pictures of the World, c1900

Background imageDrayman Collection: L Abside, c1841-1868 (1924). Artist: Charles Meryon

L Abside, c1841-1868 (1924). Artist: Charles Meryon
L Abside, c1841-1868 (1924). A print from A History of French Etching from the 16th Century to the Present Day, by F L Leipnik, John Lane the Bodley Head Limited, London, 1924

Background imageDrayman Collection: Municipal Offices, Liverpool, 10 February 1875

Municipal Offices, Liverpool, 10 February 1875

Background imageDrayman Collection: Brunswick Chapel, Moss Street, Liverpool, 1829. Artist: R Winkles

Brunswick Chapel, Moss Street, Liverpool, 1829. Artist: R Winkles
Brunswick Chapel, Moss Street, Liverpool, 1829. To the Wesleyan Methodists this plate is respectfully inscribed

Background imageDrayman Collection: The Brewers Drayman, 19th century

The Brewers Drayman, 19th century

Background imageDrayman Collection: Drayman lowers crate of beer into pub cellar, Eccles

Drayman lowers crate of beer into pub cellar, Eccles
A drayman lowers a crate of beer into the cellar of The Grapes public house in Peel Green, Eccles, Manchester. Date: circa 1977

Background imageDrayman Collection: Barclay Perkins Brewery

Barclay Perkins Brewery
The Anchor Brewery in Southwark taken over by Barclay Perkins and Co in 1781. By 1815 it was the most productive brewery in the world with 330, 000 barrels a year but was burned down in 1832. C.1820

Background imageDrayman Collection: Lady Mayoress of London selling roses, 1912

Lady Mayoress of London selling roses, 1912
Photograph showing the Lady Mayoress of London selling a wild rose to a drayman on Alexandra Rose Day, 1912


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A drayman, also known as a brewers drayman, was an essential figure in the brewing industry. This photograph of the Jolly Drayman PH in Gravesend, Kent captures the essence of their work. With a strong and sturdy build, these men were responsible for transporting heavy crates of beer from breweries to pubs across towns and cities. In this image, we see a drayman carefully lowering a crate of beer into a pub cellar in Eccles. The strength and precision required for such tasks were remarkable. These hardworking individuals formed an integral part of the brewing process, ensuring that barrels reached their destinations safely. The bond between draymen and their horses was undeniable. In 1964, at Vaux Brewery in Sunderland, we witness this unique partnership as they worked together to transport goods efficiently. The reliance on these majestic creatures is evident throughout history. Captured in black and white photography is the Barn Tavern in Highbury around 1900. A bustling scene unfolds before our eyes as multiple carts line up outside the establishment. Each cart represents countless hours of labor by dedicated draymen who tirelessly delivered kegs to quench patrons' thirsts. One cannot discuss draymen without mentioning Guinness Brewery in Dublin, Ireland - an iconic institution renowned worldwide for its stout beer production. Here we see a magnificent dray horse pulling along barrels with grace and power; it symbolizes both tradition and craftsmanship. An enchanting colored engraving showcases a proud drayman going about his duties diligently while adorned with traditional attire - perhaps representing his affiliation with specific breweries or guilds. Various carts depicted through engravings highlight the diversity within this profession; each design tailored to meet specific brewery requirements or regional preferences. Illustrations from "Costume of Great Britain" published by William Miller depict brewers dressed impeccably while performing their duties with utmost professionalism - showcasing not only physical strength but also elegance befitting their trade.