Onwards Collection

HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, 1845
Engraving showing HMS Erebus (left) and HMS Terror, pictured on the River Thames, 1845. In 1845 the British Admiralty sent two polar exploration ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror

Captain Francis Crozier of HMS Terror, 1845
Engraving of Captain Francis Crozier (1796-1848) of HMS Terror, pictured shortly before departing on the ill-fated Franklin Arctic expedition of 1845

Captain Sir John Franklin (1786-1847)
Engraving of Captain Sir John Franklin in his Royal Navy uniform, pictured shortly before departing on his ill-fated Arctic expedition of 1845

Horse-Drawn Canal Barge
On the road: two canal barges are pulled along by horses on the river bank; the lead horse is tempted onwards with a bowl of food

The Enterprise and Investigator surrounded by ice, Barro
Engraving showing the Enterprise and Investigator surrounded by pack ice in Barrows Straits, September 1849. These two ships were used by Sir James Clark Rosss Expedition of 1848-1849 to search

The End of Sir John Franklins Arctic Expedition, 1845
Engraving showing the end of Sir John Franklins ill-fated Arctic expedition of 1845, entitled They Forged the last link with their lives. This engraving was taken from a painting by W

PRINCE JOHN / 1914-19 / ILN
PRINCE JOHN Youngest son of George V. Died aged thirteen, having suffered severe epileptic fits from infancy onwards

One Hundred Years of Eternal Feminine, late 1800s
A group of portrait illustrations of young French ladies from the late 1800s, wearing fashions from the 1850s onwards. Date: circa 1901

"Onwards: Upper Bavarian Aviation Fund", 1916 (colour litho)
699009 " Onwards: Upper Bavarian Aviation Fund", 1916 (colour litho) by Erler, Fritz (1868-1940); 125x87 cm; Private Collection; eGalerie Bilderwelt; German, out of copyright

Cover design, Imperial Airways timetable, 1933
Cover design, Imperial Airways Empire timetable, from May 1933 onwards. 1933

Sir Charles Sedley (1639 - 1701) - English wit and dramatist, member of the Restoration " court wits", M.P. and legislator from 1668 onwards

Focke-Wulf 190 Fighter
Produced from 1943 onwards in a variety of models, the FW 190 is a versatile fighter and ground attacker, sometimes carrying bombs in addition to two cannon, two machine guns. Date: circa 1944

Liverpool Robins Christmas Dinner Guests
Some of the guests at a Robins Christmas Dinner, a meal provided each December for up to five thousand poor children of Liverpool from 1873 onwards. Date: circa 1910

Suffragette, Simple Life - Caravanning. The couples caravan lands in a stream and frightens the horse. This results in damage to the vehicle. Its decorated with ribbons in suffragette colours

Stevenson / Vailima Samoa
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON Scottish writers home at Vailima, Samoa, from 1890 onwards Date: 1850 - 1894

Captain James Fitzjamess Cabin aboard HMS Erebus, 1845
Engraving showing Captain James Fitzjamess cabin aboard HMS Erebus, pictured shortly before departure, 1845. In 1845 the British Admiralty sent two polar exploration ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror

Cycling / Hyde Park 1900
THE TRIUMPH OF " THE WHEEL" CYCLING IN HYDE PARK, LONDON Cyclists enjoying themselves; cycling was only allowed in Hyde Park from 1895 onwards

Dickens / Household Words
HOUSEHOLD WORDS HIS FIRST OFFICE Office where the novelist edited his weekly journal, Household Words, from 1850 onwards

French Soldiers 1830 On
French soldiers: Voltigeur (Africa), Chasseur, Infantry, Zouave, Cuirassier, Lancer and Grenadier

Mariner, Two Spirits
The two spirits powering the ship onwards at great speed over the ocean

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"Onwards: A Journey of Endurance and Exploration" In 1845, two British naval vessels, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, set sail on a daring expedition to discover the elusive Northwest Passage. Led by Captain Sir John Franklin and Captain Francis Crozier respectively, these brave men embarked on a treacherous journey into the icy unknown. As they ventured deeper into the Arctic waters, their ships became trapped in an unforgiving grip of ice. The Enterprise and Investigator joined them in this frozen prison at Barrow. Despite the harsh conditions surrounding them, their determination remained unyielding. Captain Sir John Franklin's leadership inspired his crew to persevere through unimaginable hardships. Their horse-drawn canal barge transformed into a symbol of resilience as it pushed forward against nature's obstacles. Sadly, after years spent battling the elements and dwindling supplies, disaster struck. The end of Sir John Franklin's Arctic Expedition was marked by tragedy as both captains succumbed to the harsh environment that had held them captive for so long. Yet even in defeat, their legacy lives on. Prince John immortalized their bravery with his poignant artwork depicting this historic voyage. Their names forever etched in history books alongside tales of exploration and courage. The Pleistocene landscape witnessed their struggle firsthand – its ancient beauty contrasting with man's quest for discovery amidst its icy embrace. Waxwork effigies now stand tall in Westminster Abbey as a tribute to those who dared venture where few had gone before. Through time and space, "Onwards" echoes across generations - from Upper Bavarian Aviation Fund during World War I to late 1800s' celebration of eternal femininity - reminding us that progress is born out of unwavering determination. So let us honor those who paved the way for future explorers; let us remember Captain Sir John Franklin (1786-1847) and Captain Francis Crozier (HMS Terror); let us continue to push onwards, guided by their spirit of adventure and resilience.