Gossiping Collection

Harvey Nichols advertisement, 1953
Two friends, wearing extremely similar check cotton dresses in Horrockses fabric, share a joke. Date: 1953

Galway Gossips, c1887, (c1930). Creator: Sir Ernest Albert Waterlow
Galway Gossips, c1887, (c1930). Rural scene in the west of Ireland: a woman on a horse stops to chat to a man leaning on a low wall

Careless Talk Costs Lives - WWII poster
Poster warning of the dangers of gossiping and inadvertently giving away national secrets to the enemy during World War Two

Advert promoting the Post Office Telephone Service. Date: 1932

Four cats drinking tea on a Christmas card
Four cats drinking tea and chatting on a Christmas card. Date: circa 1890s

The Poor Washerwoman - Henri Clark - Music Sheet
The Poor Washerwoman - sung with typhoons of applause by Henri Clark - Music Sheet, written by Walter Hadtings and composed by W. T. Webb

Neighbours Mrs Moria Foster (left) and Mrs Phillis Tanner chat over the garden wall on the new housing estate built in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. 5th June 1963

Liverpool housewives seen here gossiping in the street. Women holding parcel June 1962

Latest Paris Fashions 1888
Three women gossiping outside. 1888

Three daytime outfits by Drecoll, Poiret and Jenny
Three women in the latest day wear. On the left, a black scoop neck dress with large red rose to the side, by Drecoll. In the middle, a white, red and black print dress and black coat

These Ladies in the Refectory, 1893-94 (oil on cardboard)
3614326 These Ladies in the Refectory, 1893-94 (oil on cardboard) by Toulouse-Lautrec, Henri de (1864-1901); 60.2x80.7 cm; Museum of Fine Arts (Szepmuveszeti) Budapest

Doves, 1918 (oil on canvas)
658261 Doves, 1918 (oil on canvas) by Hunt, Edgar (1876-1953); 16.5x24 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Doves. Edgar Hunt (1876-1953). Oil on canvas. Signed and dated 1918

Chinese Punishment, c.1870-1889 (albumen print)
1766825 Chinese Punishment, c.1870-1889 (albumen print); Private Collection; (add.info.: Chinese Punishment. Unknown Photographer, 1870s-80s.); Photo © Christie's Images.

Worst Comes to Worst-We'll Look at His Etchings, 1934 (pastel and pencil on board)
822782 Worst Comes to Worst-We'll Look at His Etchings, 1934 (pastel and pencil on board) by Shinn, Everett (1876-1953); 57x42 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Two Cormorants (hanging scroll and colour on paper)
1764894 Two Cormorants (hanging scroll and colour on paper) by Xu Beihong (1895-1953); 103x51.3 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Two Cormorants. Xu Beihong (1895-1953)

A group of women sat gossiping around a raging fire, 1850
3478239 A group of women sat gossiping around a raging fire, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting a group of women sat gossiping around a raging fire)

Paris Demolitions - the Rue de la Montagne Sainte Genevieve, 1858. Creator: Unknown
Paris Demolitions - the Rue de la Montagne Sainte Genevieve, 1858. We have much satisfaction in presenting to our readers the accompanying Sketch of this celebrated old street in Paris

Fire-Plug, 1858. Creator: Unknown
Fire-Plug [fire hydrant], 1858. A cry of fire has been raised. The water bailiff has promptly turned on the water, and from one of the fireplugs gushes a mass of water

Costumes de Différents Pays, Paysans Polonois, c1797. Creators: Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur, LF Labrousse
Costumes de Differents Pays, Paysans Polonois, c1797

Young Women in a Theater Balcony, c1820s. Creator: Utagawa Kunisada
Young Women in a Theater Balcony, c1820s

Two seated women with a jug, 1819-1849. Creator: Willem Hendrik Schmidt
Two seated women with a jug, 1819-1849

Actors Portraits Disguised as a Street Crowd, between circa 1850 and circa 1851. Creator: Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Actors Portraits Disguised as a Street Crowd, between circa 1850 and circa 1851

Young Women in a Theater Balcony, c1820s. Creator: Utagawa Kunisada
Young Women in a Theater Balcony, c1820s

Eh bien oui! C'est comme je vous le dis, la petite... 1840. Creator: Honore Daumier
Eh bien oui! C'est comme je vous le dis, la petite... 1840. Eh bien oui! c'est comme je vous le dis, la petite a Mame Chopin

Four women at a table during a trip to Falmouth, 1778. Creator: Jan Brandes
Four women at a table during a trip to Falmouth, 1778. Women visible from the waist up. Guests at a dinner whose table arrangement is drawn on the back of this sheet

A Hen with Peacocks and a Turkey, c.1680. Creator: Melchior d'Hondecoeter
A Hen with Peacocks and a Turkey, c.1680. Other Title(s): A Hen with Peacocks and a Turkey

Neighborly Gossip, c.1880-c.1907. Creator: Bernardus Johannes Blommers
Neighborly Gossip, c.1880-c.1907

Neighborly Gossip, 1897. Creator: Jozef Israels
Neighborly Gossip, 1897

The Poultry Stall, c.1830. Creator: Willem Jodocus Mattheus Engelberts
The Poultry Stall, c.1830

A Confidential Chat, 1661. Creator: Gerritsz Quiringh van Brekelenkam
A Confidential Chat, 1661

Tu connais bien l'gros député d'en face... 19th century. Creator: Honore Daumier
Tu connais bien l'gros depute d'en face... 19th century

Elle est encore très bien, cette dame... 19th century. Creator: Honore Daumier
Elle est encore tres bien, cette dame... 19th century. Parisian sketches by Daumier - She is still very well, this lady

Scene from Ludwig Holberg's The Lying-in Room, 1845. Creator: Wilhelm Marstrand
Scene from Ludwig Holberg's The Lying-in Room, 1845

A Street in Torello, Italy, 1890. Creator: Peder Severin Kroyer
A Street in Torello, Italy, 1890

Mon Dieu! M'ame Bombec qué que vous avez attrapé?, 19th century. Creator: Honore Daumier
Mon Dieu! M'ame Bombec que que vous avez attrape?, 19th century. Parisan women gossiping, one with bandaged eye

Ah! Ma pauv Madame Chaffarou... 19th century. Creator: Honore Daumier
Ah! Ma pauv Madame Chaffarou... 19th century. Oh! my poor Madame Chaffarou

Les confidences, 1774. Creator: Charles Louis Lingée
Les confidences, 1774

La gageure des trois commeres: La servante. Creators: Philippe Triere, Antoine Jean Duclos
La gageure des trois commeres: La servante

Madame Leroux'; By Francis Eleanor Trollope; Whereapon the housemaid said she know'd the young man Creator
Madame Leroux'; By Francis Eleanor Trollope; Whereupon the housemaid said she know'd the young man wasn't waiting there for nothing, and set them down as a couple of sweethearts, 1890

Assembly in a park, c1785. Creator: Francois Louis Joseph Watteau
Assembly in a park, c1785

La conversation interrompue. Creator: Adolphe Monticelli
La conversation interrompue

The Habit of Criticizing Others (Ta o soshiru kuse), from the series "Seven Bad Habits...c. 1797
The Habit of Criticizing Others (Ta o soshiru kuse), from the series "Seven Bad Habits (Nakute nana kuse)", Japan, c. 1797

Two Women in Yellow Kerchiefs, n.d. Creator: Constantin Guys
Two Women in Yellow Kerchiefs, n.d

Three Servant Women, n.d. Creator: Constantin Guys
Three Servant Women, n.d

Two Women in Late 18th Century Dress, n.d. Creator: William Edward Frost
Two Women in Late 18th Century Dress, n.d

The Arrival of the Coach - a Roadside Inn a Century Ago - painted by T. F. Marshall, 1850. Creator: Unknown
The Arrival of the Coach - a Roadside Inn a Century Ago - painted by T. F. Marshall, 1850....Mr. T. F. Marshall's single contribution to the Royal Academy Exhibition [in London]

(Facsimile) The Fourth Month (Uzuki), from the series "Popular Versions of Immortal Poets... c1768
(Facsimile) The Fourth Month (Uzuki), from the series "Popular Versions of Immortal Poets in Four Seasons (Fuzoku shiki kasen)", c. 1768

Lady John Russell's Assembly on Wednesday Evening, at Downing-Street - the Refreshment Room, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Lady John Russell's Assembly on Wednesday Evening, at Downing-Street - the Refreshment Room, 1850. A party at 10 Downing Street...the official residence of the Premier [in London]...was honoured

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"Gossiping: A Timeless Tale of Whispers and Chatter" Step back in time to the glamorous 1950s with Harvey Nichols advertisement, where gossip was as fashionable as the latest Paris fashions. The air filled with secrets and rumors, adding an intriguing allure to society's elite. In c1887, Sir Ernest Albert Waterlow captured the essence of Galway Gossips, showcasing two women engrossed in a conversation that transcended time. Their animated gestures and hushed tones hinted at scandalous tales being shared. During WWII, a powerful message emerged through the iconic "Careless Talk Costs Lives" poster. It reminded us all that idle chatter could have dire consequences for national security. Words whispered carelessly had the power to change lives forever. Henri Clark's poignant music sheet titled "The Poor Washerwoman" depicted a woman burdened by her own trials while others gossiped around her. This artwork served as a reminder of how gossip can harm those who are already struggling. Meanwhile, Liverpool housewives gathered on street corners, holding parcels but also sharing stories that traveled faster than their footsteps. These women found solace in exchanging news amidst their daily routines. Drecoll, Poiret, and Jenny showcased three daytime outfits that were not only fashion-forward but also perfect for engaging in lively conversations over tea or cocktails. Fashion became intertwined with gossip culture - each outfit telling its own story. "The Ladies in the Refectory, " painted on cardboard in 1893-94 by an unknown artist, portrayed women bonding over meals while indulging in juicy tidbits about their peers' lives. Gossip provided entertainment during mundane moments. A thought-provoking cartoon from years gone by questioned societal norms surrounding sex before marriage – sparking discussions among friends and neighbors alike about moral values and personal choices. Promoting connectivity beyond face-to-face encounters came an advert promoting the Post Office Telephone Service in 1932.