Phony Collection

Two women preparing for show at Windmill Theatre 1939
Two women in tin helmets photographed as they prepare for a show at the Windmill Theatre. The Windmill Theatre, which today uses the motto " we never closed"

Young boy alone on a playground swing 1939
Photograph showing a young boy on a swing in Geraldine May Harmsworth Park. The park is empty following the evacuation of thousands of children in the first few weeks following the outbreak of war

The thaw (colour litho)
2818365 The thaw (colour litho) by Meyer, Henri (1841-99) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The thaw. Satire on scandals in French public life. Le degel)

Decontaminator in full uniform, September 1939
A London decontaminator in an anti-gas protective suit. As a result of fears of chemical warfare in the early stages of the Second World War

The Gas-Repellent Suit, September 1939
A demonstration of the gas-repellant suit complete with hood, trousers, jumper and mittens made from oiled silk. The outfit was deliberately lightweight, weighing little over 100g (4oz or c.113g)

Baby lying down with gas mask on, September 1939
Baby lying in their specialised baby gas mask as someone operates the pumping valve in the background. The image was drawn after a special demonstration of the respirator

Men painting warning signs for unexploded bombs, Sept 1939
ARP volunteers painting wooden boards with; " keep clear unexploded bomb" to be used as a warning to civilians when a bomb fails to explode. Date: 1939

Burying the stalls of Canterbury Cathedral Nave, Sept 1939
Men burying the stalls of the nave in Canterbury Cathedral in order to protect them from air raid damage. The Sphere describes how a train was used to transport the tons of earth to the Cathedral for

Huge blinds used to camouflage a factory, Sept 1939
Huge dark blinds used to camouflage an entire factory on an A-road just outside of London. Blackout regulations were imposed two days before the outbreak of war to make the factory less visible to

Canterbury Cathedral Crypt supports, September 1939
Photograph of the 843-year-old crypt of Canterbury Cathedral in which the apex of the vaulting has been supported with a series of wooden beams as a precaution against potential air raid damage

College boys returning to Eton with gas masks, Sept 1939
Boys returning to Eton to resume their education after the Summer holidays, shortly after the outbreak of the Second World War earlier that month. Each boy carries a gas mask and wears a top hat

Women painting kerbside for blackouts, September 1939
Women of the Voluntary Ambulance Service painting the kerbside between their headquarters and the first-aid post to allow them to find their way in a blackout. Date: 1939

The West End in blackout, September 1939
Photograph of the West End in blackout, shortly after the outbreak of war in September 1939. The Sphere describes the sight as " extraordinarily eerie". 1939

Air raid precautions at Westminster Abbey, September 1939
Selection of pictures detailing the precautions in place for the protection of Westminster Abbey during the war. This included; a fire squad to patrol the cloisters

Three men at the cinema with their gas masks, September 1939
Three men queuing for the cinema with their gas masks, next to a sign informing cinema-goers that an announcement will be made from the stage if an air raid occurs

Mother holding baby and specialised gas mask, Sept 1939
An East end mother smiling as she holds her baby and baby gas mask in each hand. Meanwhile, the Sphere comments on the " non-committal" skepticism with which the child stares at the device

Two women with infants and new baby gas masks, Sept 1939
Two East end mothers wheeling their children and new baby gas masks through a London street. Accompanied by a caption reminding the reader to always carry a gas mask

Londoners travelling to work amid wartime delays 1939
Londoners photographed as they travel after experiencing delays due to air raid warnings. The Sphere describes " three hours suburban traffic" but reports that " by 9.30 and 10 a.am

Precautionary camouflaging of tents, September 1939
A group of people camouflage a tent in the countryside to protect it from potential air raids, following the outbreak of the war

Two men building an Anderson shelter, September 1939
Two men building an Anderson shelter outside a lodge-keepers house in St. James s, London, just after the outbreak of the war. Date: 1939

Patient on stretcher lifted onto evacuation coach 1939
Patient of Barts hospital lifted on a stretcher into a specially fitted Green Line hospital coach. As part of the preparations for war

Ash Wednesday. Down with masks (colour litho)
2818367 Ash Wednesday. Down with masks (colour litho) by Meyer, Henri (1841-99) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ash Wednesday. Down with masks. Satire on the state of French public life)

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"Unveiling the Phony Facade: Life in 1939 Amidst Uncertainty" As the curtains rise at Windmill Theatre in 1939, two women meticulously prepare for their show. Behind their radiant smiles and glamorous costumes lies a sense of unease, as the world outside is engulfed in turmoil. Meanwhile, on a lonely playground swing, a young boy swings back and forth with an innocence that belies the phony calm surrounding him. The weight of impending events hangs heavy in the air. In vivid colors, "The Thaw" lithograph captures a momentary respite from reality. Yet beneath its deceptive beauty lies an underlying tension - a reminder that appearances can be deceiving. Amidst this uncertainty, a decontaminator dons his full uniform with unwavering determination. September 1939 marks the beginning of an era where gas-repellent suits become essential shields against unseen threats. Even babies are not spared from this new reality; lying down with gas masks on their tiny faces. Their innocence masked by necessity as parents strive to protect them from potential harm. Men diligently paint warning signs for unexploded bombs while burying stalls within Canterbury Cathedral's Nave. These acts serve as both practical precautions and symbolic gestures against looming danger. Camouflage becomes paramount as huge blinds cloak factories like veils of deception. A phony facade designed to mislead enemy eyes while preserving vital production lines behind closed doors. Deep within Canterbury Cathedral's Crypt supports lie hidden strength amidst uncertainty - pillars standing tall even when faced with adversity. They embody resilience during these trying times. College boys return to Eton adorned not only with school pride but also equipped with gas masks - symbols of preparedness amidst uncertain days ahead. Women take up brushes to paint kerbsides for blackouts; their strokes creating invisible boundaries between light and darkness – another layer of protection woven into everyday life.