Greasy Collection

Greasy fritillary, Euphydryas aurinia, high brown fritillary, Fabriciana adippe, treble-bar moth, Aplocera plagiata
FLO4638784 Greasy fritillary, Euphydryas aurinia, high brown fritillary, Fabriciana adippe, treble-bar moth, Aplocera plagiata, speckled yellow, Pseudopanthera macularia, and crimson and gold moth

The Greased Pole (engraving)
2781174 The Greased Pole (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Greased Pole. Illustration for Chatterbox (1894).); © Look and Learn

Cartoon, A Very Greasy Pole (John Bright)
Cartoon, A Very Greasy Pole -- satirical comment on John Brights efforts in promoting Reform, in particular an extension of the franchise to working men, the year after he became MP for Birmingham

Edible russulae mushrooms: greasy green brittlegill, Russula heterophylla, Russula alutacea, and rosy russula, Russula rosea (Russula lepida)

Illustration, Ambition - climbing to reach a pig on a pole. first published 1838

Military Sports, a Gymkhana in Barbadoes (engraving)
1051366 Military Sports, a Gymkhana in Barbadoes (engraving) by Ralston, William (1848-1911) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Military Sports, a Gymkhana in Barbadoes)

The Mat de Cocagne, 1845. Creator: Unknown
The Mat de Cocagne, 1845. Bastille Day celebrations in Paris....the struggle for prizes is carried on by means of a high pole fixed in the Champs Elysees, and the prizes

Sir Edward Sheperd Greasy, MA, late Chief Justice of Ceylon, 1876. Artist: Lock & Whitfield
Sir Edward Sheperd Greasy, MA, late Chief Justice of Ceylon, 1876. From Men of Mark: a gallery of contemporary portraits of men distinguished in the Senate, the Church, in science

A Very Greasy Pole, 1859. John Bright climbs the greasy pole of the Reform Bill, topped by the ham of popularity. Bright was an outspoken advocate reform

Cartoon, Randolph Churchill, British politician
Cartoon, Lord Randolph Henry Spencer Churchill (1849-1895), British politician - Little Randolph and the greasy pole of politics

French 19th Century, The Greasy Pole, 1815, lithograph

Aquatic Sports at Amoy, 1883; the Greasy Pole, the Sanpan Race

Pizzette, small pizzas with buffalo mozzarella, chorizo and coriander, front, and tomatoes and anchovies, rear

Tortilla chips, full-frame

Potato sticks

Potato sticks on porcelain plate

Large blob of grease washed up on beach, Gower Peninsula, West Glamorgan, South Wales, March

Four rashers of streaky bacon, view from above

Puffy bread, sprinkled with rosemary and salt, filled with cheese, tomatoes and green leaves, piece torn off, showing inside

Potato chips frying in deep-fryer, view from above

Provencal Seafood Grillade with Lemon Fennel Dressing and Roast Garlic Aioli

Plate of French fries

Girl Eating a Hamburger
A greedy teenage girl wolfs down a hamburger! Date: 1980

Boy Writing
A rather wide-eyed little boy, writing at a desk, a bottle of ink and a selection of pens to hand. Date: 1930s

Boxing Manager & Trainer
Left to right : The Chinese friend, trainer and manager of KUI KONG YOUNG, in training to fight Puerto Rican boxing champion SIXTO ESCOBAR, Sydney, Australia. Date: 1930s

Kui Kong Young
Chinese Filipino boxer KUI KONG YOUNG, the small but toned and powerful young boxer, in training to fight Puerto Rican boxing champion SIXTO ESCOBAR. Date: 1940s

Rustic Fete at Northfleet, Kent - a successful competitor climbs the greasy pole and wins the flitch of bacon, to the plaudits of the crowd Date: 1832

Car disc brake. This device is found inside a car wheel. The metal disc surrounds the hub of the wheel. The main part of the wheel and the outer tyre have been removed

Meat kebab, thermogram
Meat kebab. Thermogram of a cooked meat kebab on a plate. The colours show variations in temperature. The scale runs from white (warmest), through red, yellow, green and blue to purple (coldest)

Cooked breakfast, thermogram
Cooked breakfast. Thermogram of cooked breakfast food on a plate. The colours show variations in temperature. The scale runs from white (warmest), through yellow, orange

Battered seafood on a plate consisting of octopus, calamari and squid

Fried bread in a frying pan

German Allies at the top of the pole
A terrific fold-out card depicting the German allies as the dominant holders of a spot at the top of the European maypole as their enemies fail to cling on as they attempt an ascent

Old Gipsy Woman
An old gipsy woman grins as she serves up potatoes and cabbage (?) from a boiling cauldron

Gipsy Woman
An old gipsy woman in profile, showing her very long hair, pinned back with slides and grips

Gipsy Family 1973
A gipsy family, the husband and son watching the wife and younger child from the back door of their caravan at a gipsy camp at Penshurst, Kent, England

Gipsy Cad 1973
A middle-aged gipsy, smoking, with one hand tucked into his belt

Gipsy Camp 1973
An old gipsy woman, with either her daughters or grand-daughters, at a gipsy camp at Charlwood, Horley, Surrey

a Thumb print
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Climbing the Pole / Fair
Climbing the pole. This game originated from an idea by M. Franck, a doctor who decided that humans should re-learn such skills previously used to climb trees & forage for food

Competing for Pig
Country bumpkins compete for a sucking pig fixed to the top of a greasy pole

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"Embracing the Greasy: From Engravings to Cartoons, Exploring the Slippery World" Step into a world where greasiness takes center stage. From The Greased Pole engraving to A Very Greasy Pole cartoon by John Bright, these artworks depict the challenges and amusement of conquering slippery obstacles. But it's not just poles that are coated in grease - even mushrooms like Edible Russulae can leave your fingers slick with their natural oils. In A Cockaigne Gone Wrong lithograph, we witness a comical scene where indulgence leads to unexpected consequences. The illustration titled Ambition reminds us of how ambition can sometimes be as treacherous as a greased pole. It serves as a cautionary tale about reaching too high and losing our footing along the way. In Military Sports, a Gymkhana in Barbadoes engraving, we see soldiers engaging in competitive activities that require agility and balance on greasy surfaces. This highlights how even military training incorporates elements of fun and challenge. The Mat de Cocagne from 1845 is an intriguing creation shrouded in mystery. Its unknown creator invites us to ponder its purpose - was it used for entertainment or perhaps some form of physical test involving grease? Sir Edward Sheperd Greasy's portrait captures his distinguished presence as Chief Justice of Ceylon in 1876. His name may evoke images of oiliness but his accomplishments speak volumes about his expertise and knowledge. Randolph Churchill, depicted in another cartoon, showcases British politician's resilience amidst political turmoil – navigating through metaphorical "grease" while maintaining determination towards his goals. Even modern developments aren't immune to slipperiness; when the M1 Motorway opened only six days ago, vehicles cautiously treaded upon its fresh asphalt surface – aware that any excess speed could lead them astray.