Espionage Collection

Soviet Spy Kim Philby holds a press conference after being cleared of spying by the Foreign Office. October 1955 P009631

WW1 - German Espionage - in disguise as a woman
WW1 - The Little German Maid - German Espionage - a German soldier prepares to get into disguise as a woman in order to infiltrate an approaching band of allied cavalry troops. Date: 1915

U-2 spy plane with fictitious NASA markings, USA, 1960. Creator: NASA
U-2 spy plane with fictitious NASA markings, USA, 1960. After Francis Gary Powers was shot down over the Soviet Union during a CIA spy flight on May 1, 1960

Illustration from Kim, by Rudyard Kipling, pub. 1930 (colour litho)
STC386308 Illustration from Kim, by Rudyard Kipling, pub. 1930 (colour litho) by Schmied, Francois-Louis (1873-1941); Private Collection; (add.info)

Project Azorian, 1970s
Project Azorian. Artwork showing the secret US operation carried out by the CIA to recover a sunken Soviet submarine in the 1970s

Cartoon, They have ears! WW1
Cartoon, They have ears! Three fashionable French women are afraid that two Dachshunds might be German spies. Date: 1916

Scene with washerwomen and a woman busy at her toilet, spied on by a man hidden behind a fan
LSE4316410 Scene with washerwomen and a woman busy at her toilet, spied on by a man hidden behind a fan. Painting by Danwon (Kim Hongdo) (1745-1806), ink on paper, Korean art

France, Champagne-Ardennes, Marne (51), Trigny: August 1917, First World War
LUX4803674 France, Champagne-Ardennes, Marne (51), Trigny: August 1917, First World War, an observation balloon guard by a soldier

France, Champagne-Ardennes, Marne (51), Trigny: August 1917, First World War
LUX4803618 France, Champagne-Ardennes, Marne (51), Trigny: August 1917, First World War, an observation balloon guard by a soldier

France, Champagne-Ardennes, Marne (51), Trigny: August 1917, First World War, an observation balloon in swelling phase
LUX4803606 France, Champagne-Ardennes, Marne (51), Trigny: August 1917, First World War, an observation balloon in swelling phase, close-up with 4 soldiers

Cartoon of Spy by T P O'Connor
3077566 Cartoon of Spy by T P O'Connor; (add.info.: Cartoon of Spy by Thomas Power O'Connor (1848-1929) a journalist, an Irish nationalist political figure

Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905: Japanese spies being hanged by Russian military command
530176 Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905: Japanese spies being hanged by Russian military command. From Le Petit Journal, Paris, 13 March 1904.; Universal History Archive/UIG.

Illustration of the first illustrated edition of Alexandre Dumas's novel The Three Musketeers - Constance Bonacieux
PCT4295081 Illustration of the first illustrated edition of Alexandre Dumas's novel The Three Musketeers - Constance Bonacieux epiee by D'Artagnan who is in love with the young woman -;

Flemish tapestry. Suzanna and the elder (Suzanna en de ouderlingen). Atelier of Oudenaarde. 254x220cm
7209529 Flemish tapestry. Suzanna and the elder (Suzanna en de ouderlingen). Atelier of Oudenaarde. 254x220cm. Inv (82968)-2 00003.; 254x220 cm; MOU Museum, Oudenaarde, Oost-Vlaanderen

France, Champagne-Ardennes, Marne (51), Trigny: August 1917, First World War
LUX4803608 France, Champagne-Ardennes, Marne (51), Trigny: August 1917, First World War, an observation balloon in swelling phase held by soldiers, close-up

France, Champagne-Ardennes, Marne (51), Trigny: August 1917, First World War
LUX4803657 France, Champagne-Ardennes, Marne (51), Trigny: August 1917, First World War, an observation balloon in swelling phase held by soldiers, close-up

La Baionnette, Satirique en Colours, 1916_10_26: War of 14 -18, Armee, Shops, Espionage - Soldiers
ICA4850498 La Baionnette, Satirique en Colours, 1916_10_26: War of 14 -18, Armee, Shops, Espionage - Soldiers, Mercanti - Illustration by Georges Leonnec (1881-1940); (add.info.: La Baionnette)

Great North War or Second North War (1700-1721): Russians stop a spy during the war against Sweden
NWI4837704 Great North War or Second North War (1700-1721): Russians stop a spy during the war against Sweden. Colourful engraving of the 19th century.; (add.info)

Cover of " L'Indiscret", Satirique en N & B, 1902_10_1: Marriage
ICA4937803 Cover of " L'Indiscret", Satirique en N & B, 1902_10_1: Marriage, Adultere - Illustration by Henri Boutet (1851-1919); (add.info.: Cover of " L'Indiscret")

Colorful photo, a man looks at the legs of women of a group surprised by a storm of wind, 1865
LUX4818207 Colorful photo, a man looks at the legs of women of a group surprised by a storm of wind, 1865; (add.info.: Colorful photo)

Dreyfus affair. Ferdinand Esterhazy, ca 1900 (postcard)
7422878 Dreyfus affair. Ferdinand Esterhazy, ca 1900 (postcard); (add.info.: History. France. Dreyfus affair. Ferdinand Esterhazy. Postcard, France, ca 1900.); © Archives Charmet.

Voyeur spies on young woman undressing. (print)
7419935 Voyeur spies on young woman undressing. (print); (add.info.: A voyeur spies on a young woman as she begins to undress)

Illustration of Edouard Carrier in Le Pelerin, 10/07/04 - Arrest of a Japanese spy disguise as an organ player - Music
ICA4855232 Illustration of Edouard Carrier in Le Pelerin, 10/07/04 - Arrest of a Japanese spy disguise as an organ player - Music, Russian-Japanese War, Barbary organ

France, Champagne-Ardennes, Marne (51), Trigny: August 1917, First World War, depart of an observation balloon
LUX4803646 France, Champagne-Ardennes, Marne (51), Trigny: August 1917, First World War, depart of an observation balloon, aerostiers climb into the nacelle

British arresting American spy Emily Geiger, who was en route to General Sumter with a message from General Greene
NWI4712539 British arresting American spy Emily Geiger, who was en route to General Sumter with a message from General Greene, South Carolina

David watching the bath of Bathsheba (woodcut)
8663775 David watching the bath of Bathsheba (woodcut) by Burgkmair, Hans (c.1473-1531) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: David watching the bath of Bathsheba, 1519)

Portrait of Captain Sidney Smith (1764-1840), imprisoned at the Abbey of Paris, captured in 1795
MMM5481764 Portrait of Captain Sidney Smith (1764-1840), imprisoned at the Abbey of Paris, captured in 1795, during the wars of the French Revolution, on the coast of France

Postcard in Colors: Shut up! - War of 14 -18, Love, Patriotism, Espionage
ICA4837711 Postcard in Colors: Shut up! - War of 14 -18, Love, Patriotism, Espionage; (add.info.: Postcard in Colors: Shut up! - War of 14 -18, Love, Patriotism, Espionage); Photo © Caricadoc.

Exact description of French flat-bottomed boats, intended to transport troops for the invasion of England
MMM5484837 Exact description of French flat-bottomed boats, intended to transport troops for the invasion of England, as they were seen sailing in Charente Bay (France)

France, Champagne-Ardennes, Marne (51), Trigny: August 1917, First World War, an observation balloon, close-up
LUX4803586 France, Champagne-Ardennes, Marne (51), Trigny: August 1917, First World War, an observation balloon, close-up, 1917 - balloon: M1188 - Bonnier photographer aerostier; (add.info.: France)

France, Champagne-Ardennes, Marne (51), Trigny: August 1917, First World War
LUX4803652 France, Champagne-Ardennes, Marne (51), Trigny: August 1917, First World War, start of an observation balloon assisted by a car truck and soldiers

France, Ile-de-France, Paris (75): portrait in stage dress by Mata Hari (Margaretha Geertruida) (1876-1917), 1905
LUX4725846 France, Ile-de-France, Paris (75): portrait in stage dress by Mata Hari (Margaretha Geertruida) (1876-1917), 1905; (add.info.: France, Ile-de-France)

The Dutch dancer, courtesan and spy Mata-Hari (1876-1917) on the day of her arrest 13/02/1917 at the prison saint
ELD4852139 The Dutch dancer, courtesan and spy Mata-Hari (1876-1917) on the day of her arrest 13/02/1917 at the prison saint Lazare in Paris

Fencing between the knight of Eon and Monsieur Saint George, late 19th early 20th century(chromo)
PCT4284509 Fencing between the knight of Eon and Monsieur Saint George, late 19th early 20th century(chromo); (add.info.: Fencing (assault)

AI IMAGE - Portrait of Christine Keeler, 1960s, (2023). Creator: Heritage Images
AI IMAGE - Portrait of Christine Keeler, 1960s, (2023). Keeler (1942-2017) was a British model who, during the Cold War, had an affair with a married Cabinet minister, John Profumo

"The Prodigal Son", drawn by S. Read, 1860. Creator: M. Jackson. "The Prodigal Son", drawn by S
"The Prodigal Son", drawn by S. Read, 1860. Warily, almost stealthily, with bated breath and cautious step, the youthful figure crossed the terrace walk

Narihira Watching Court Ladies of Oshu Province, c1766. Creator: Shunsho
Narihira Watching Court Ladies of Oshu Province, c1766. Series: Tales of Ise in Iroha Order

Sur la scène/Dans les coulisses, 1853. Creator: Honore Daumier
Sur la scene/Dans les coulisses, 1853. On Stage/Behind the Scenes. (In the wings, an actor, dressed as a Roman, exchanges something with another man (the theatre manager?). From Croquis Parisiens

Pour une belle vue, v'là une belle vue!, 1847. Creator: Honore Daumier
Pour une belle vue, v'la une belle vue!, 1847. Pour une belle vue, v'la une belle vue!...j'decouvre tout Paris...tiens j'vois ma maison...tiens j'vois ma femme...tiens j'vois

Pour une belle vue, v'là une belle vue!.. 1847. Creator: Honore Daumier
Pour une belle vue, v'la une belle vue!.. 1847. Pour une belle vue, v'la une belle vue!...j'decouvre tout Paris...tiens j'vois ma maison...tiens j'vois ma femme...tiens j'vois

L'Acteur...on voit bien qu'il fait chaud... 1856. Creator: Honore Daumier
L'Acteur...on voit bien qu'il fait chaud... 1856. L'Acteur...- On voit bien qu'il fait chaud...trois spectateurs dans la salle...faut-il commencer

The Great Battle at Ichinotani during the Genpei Wars (Ichinotani Genpei Okassen), 1853. Creator: Yoshikazu
The Great Battle at Ichinotani during the Genpei Wars (Ichinotani Genpei Okassen) (image 1 of 3), 1853. The Great Battle at the Minamoto

Satyr Spying on Sleeping Nymph, Antiope, 1645-1680. Creator: Toussaint Gelton
Satyr Spying on Sleeping Nymph, Antiope, 1645-1680

Le defaitisme et les grands proces; l'affaire du " bonnet rouge"; trois condamnes: Landau... 1917
Le defaitisme et les grands proces; l'affaire du " bonnet rouge"; trois condamnes: Landau en haut, Duval et Leymarie, 1917

Le defaitisme et les grands proces; l'affaire du "bonnet rouge"; l'accusateur: le lieut... 1917
Le defaitisme et les grands proces; l'affaire du "bonnet rouge"; l'accusateur: le lieutenant Mornet, commissaire du gouvernement, 1917

Le defaitisme et les grands proces; l'affaire du "bonnet rouge"; Duval repondant... 1917
Le defaitisme et les grands proces; l'affaire du "bonnet rouge"; Duval repondant a l'interrogatoire, 1917

Le defaitisme et les grands proces; l'affaire du "bonnet rouge"; Leymarie, qui, prevenu... 1917
Le defaitisme et les grands proces; l'affaire du "bonnet rouge"; Leymarie, qui, prevenu libre, n'etait pas assis parmi ses coinculpes, 1917

Le defaitisme et les grands proces; l'affaire du "bonnet rouge"; le president du... 1917
Le defaitisme et les grands proces; l'affaire du "bonnet rouge"; le president du conseil de guerre, 1917. From "L'Album de la Guerre 1914-1919

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"Unveiling the Shadows: Tales of Espionage Through Time" In the depths of World War I, German espionage took an intriguing turn as spies donned disguises, even assuming the guise of women to deceive their enemies. The U-2 spy plane soared through American skies in 1960, masquerading under fictitious NASA markings, a covert operation that left many questioning who was watching from above. Rudyard Kipling's timeless novel "Kim" brought to life an illustration capturing the essence of espionage, transporting readers into a world where secrets and hidden agendas thrived. George Blake's name echoes through history as he betrayed his country by becoming a double agent for the Soviet Union during the Cold War era, leaving behind a trail of deception and mistrust. The Lockheed U-2 spy aircraft emerged in the 1950s as an enigma cloaked in secrecy, its sleek design embodying both innovation and intrigue within its classified missions. A thought-provoking cartoon from World War I reminds us that even walls have ears when it comes to espionage; every whisper could be overheard by those lurking in shadows. Project Azorian unraveled during the 1970s as one of history's most audacious attempts at underwater espionage—a daring mission shrouded in mystery beneath ocean depths. Even Santa Claus couldn't escape being recruited into secret service operations—his jovial persona concealing hidden agendas and covert objectives during times of uncertainty. Margaret Thatcher found herself immortalized as a Spitting Image puppet—an embodiment of political satire revealing how power can attract both admiration and suspicion within intelligence circles. Donald Maclean's treacherous path unfolded with shocking revelations—he served as both English diplomat and KGB spy—a reminder that loyalty is not always what it seems on diplomatic fronts or behind closed doors.