Polishing Collection

Cub Scouts taking part in Operation Shoeshine
Two Cub Scouts taking part in Operation Shoeshine, a seven-day campaign during Scout Job Week. Their first customer was an actress, Caroline Munro

A long run from Tarland, Aberdeenshire, necessitates a thorough clean-up for this 1925 Tasker traction engine, so its owner Mr William McConachie, an Aberdeen farmer

After bringing his steam engine, Hielan Laddie, from Aberdeen, 35-year-old William Barrack, right, owner, and Mr William McGonachie

Cub Scout washing a window, Scout Job Week
A Cub Scout washing a window which displays a poster advertising Scout Job Week. 1970s

Dickens / Pickwick Papers
Sam Weller - Mr Pickwicks servant who councils his master with Cockney wisdom

Unusual Picture of Czech model Dana Mala having her hot pants polished by a bootblack named Charlie in Piccadilly Circus. April 1971

Thessaloniki, Greece - Bootblack Date: circa 1916

Cub Scouts cleaning fire engine

Advert / Enameline Polish
ENAMELINE STOVE POLISH for polishing stoves, grates, ranges, etc

Model Maid-Of-All-Work
The model maid of all work is kept busy in the scullery cleaning boots, boiling kettles and pans, and responding to the bells that are constantly rung for her

Waifs and Strays Society Lincoln - Boot polishing
Boys polishing boots at the Waifs and Strays Society Home, Lincoln Date: 1896

JUSTICE CLEANED UP
Cleaning up British Justice

Polishing a Floor
A housewife uses her Johnsons Wax Electric Floor Polisher

Woman in shoe shine booth Lisbon
Shoe shine booths in a Lisbon Street, Portugal. People sit in the small cabins to have their shoes cleaned and shined Date: 1988

Home made Special/Chevrolet 33
Peter Elling-Jordt

Ancient Egypt, Wall carving/painting, Mastaba/Tomb of Ti, 5th Dynasty, Saqqara, Workmen polishing wood (photo)
3476426 Ancient Egypt, Wall carving/painting, Mastaba/Tomb of Ti, 5th Dynasty, Saqqara, Workmen polishing wood (photo); (add.info.: Ancient Egypt, Wall carving/painting, Mastaba/Tomb of Ti)

Victorian Shoe Shine - Clean Your Boots, Sir? 19th century

Mr Alan Pegler pictured cleaning the wheels of The Flying Scotsman engine, of which he owns. Alan Pegler bought the Flying Scotsman engine in 1963, for £ 3, 000, to save it from the scrap yard

Alan Pegler, (right on his ladder), cleans and polishes The Flying Scotsman. Alan Pegler bought the Flying Scotsman engine in 1963, for £ 3, 000, to save it from the scrap yard

The Flying Scotsman, designed by Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley, is an express passenger train service that has operated between Edinburgh and London, the capitals of Scotland and England

Mr Alan Pegler pictured cleaning The Flying Scotsman Engine window of the drivers cabin. Alan Pegler bought the Flying Scotsman engine in 1963, for £ 3, 000, to save it from the scrap yard

Derby County in training. Henry Newton of Derby County FC cleans his shoes during training today, his last before Saturdays game. 1st April 1976

Shoe shine at work in Whitechapel High Street in the east end of London. 14th January 1955

Woman seen in the kitchen drying a frying pan. Circa February 1952

Swindon Works Polishing Shop in 1914
A photograph taken on 7th August 1914 of the Polishing Shop in the Carriage and Wagon Works. French polishing was a skilled trade

Floor Polishing - Housewife busy polishing the hall floor. Artist: Anon. Date: 1928

Matchless Metal Polish advert, polishing the Crown. Date: 1902

WW2 British Marine And Royal Navy Sailor
A pair of WW2 illustrations from a children's ABC book. The left image shows a British marine standing with polishing gear

WW2, Rub-A-Dub-Dub
An illustration of a little girl polishing a teapot and other household objects, with the notion that helping her mother can add towards winning the war. Date: circa 1940s

Glo-Coat Advertisement Illustration
An advertisement illustration promoting Glo-Coat, a floor polishing product, the image shows three women discussing how good it is! Date: circa 1939

Polishing Pencils - Pencil Making at Keswick Date: 1854

Advert for Min Cream Polish. Supply of the product was restricted during the war. Date: 1943

Cartoons showing the activities of a diligent wartime housewife, operating without the assistance of a maid. Date: 1943

Advert for Min Piano Polish, promising a beautiful finish in half a minute. Date: 1932

Night before the University Boat Race
The night before the University Boat Race, polishing up the boat. Date: 1880

Hilliard & Chapman, free standing patent knife polishing and sharpening with six different sizes. Date: 1862

A young boy brushes his shoes. Date: 1910

Polish and Sewing Shop outing, c1920s
Staff outings were a popular part of GWR working life. This image from the 1920s shows a group of women who worked in the Polishing and Sewing Shops at Swindon Works

Friday Morning (oil on canvas)
XPG379892 Friday Morning (oil on canvas) by Hankey, William Lee (1869-1952); Private Collection

The Cleaning Lady (oil on canvas)
490030 The Cleaning Lady (oil on canvas) by Baes, Firmin (1874-1945); 138.2x113.2 cm; Groeningemuseum, Bruges, Belgium; © Art in Flanders

Needhams Polishing Paste, 1886. Creator: Unknown
Needhams Polishing Paste, 1886. From " The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper Volume 33. January to June, 1886"

Barmaid (Any Bar), 1898 (woodcut)
3088152 Barmaid (Any Bar), 1898 (woodcut) by Nicholson, William (1872-1949); 25.4x22.8 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Original woodcut, without hand colouring)

Reproduction of a poster advertising Jacquot and Cie shoe polish, 1894 (colour litho)
STC138064 Reproduction of a poster advertising Jacquot and Cie shoe polish, 1894 (colour litho) by Lefevre, Lucien (1850-c.1902); 176x124 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

The Independent Shoe-Black, 1881. Creator: John Thomson
The Independent Shoe-Black, 1881. A work made of woodburytype, plate 21 in the book " street incidents" (1881)

The Independent Shoe-Black, 1877. Creator: John Thomson
The Independent Shoe-Black, 1877. A work made of woodburytype, from the album " street life in london"

Tour a polir les agates (engraving)
3644832 Tour a polir les agates (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Tour a polir les agates. Illustration for Le Magasin Pittoresque (1856)

The Shoeblack (engraving)
3625993 The Shoeblack (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Shoeblack. Illustration for Chatterbox (1867). Digitally cleaned image.); © Look and Learn

Messrs Elkington and Cos Electro-Plate Works (engraving)
6010322 Messrs Elkington and Cos Electro-Plate Works (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Messrs Elkington and Cos electro-plate works)

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"Polishing: From Cub Scouts to Steam Engines, the Art of Making Things Shine" Cub Scouts taking part in Operation Shoeshine: Teaching young boys the importance of keeping things polished and presentable. A long run from Tarland, Aberdeenshire, necessitates a thorough clean-up for this 1925 beauty: After enduring a challenging journey, this vintage vehicle deserves some extra TLC. After bringing his steam engine, Hielan Laddie, from Aberdeen: The proud owner knows that regular polishing not only maintains its appearance but also preserves its historical significance. Cub Scout washing a window during Scout Job Week: Learning valuable skills like cleaning and polishing at an early age helps instill a sense of responsibility and pride in their work. Dickens / Pickwick Papers: In Charles Dickens' classic novel, even the characters understood the transformative power - both metaphorically and literally. Unusual Picture of Czech model Dana Mala having her hot pants polished by a bootblack: Sometimes unexpected situations call for creative solutions – even when it comes to keeping our clothes looking their best. Thessaloniki, Greece - Bootblack: The skilled hands of these professionals ensure that every shoe shines brightly as they take pride in their craft. Cub Scouts cleaning fire engine: These young scouts understand that maintaining firefighting equipment is crucial for saving lives – ensuring everything is spotless ensures optimal performance when needed most. Advert / Enameline Polish: Discover the secret behind achieving impeccable shine with Enameline Polish – making your belongings look brand new again. Model Maid-Of-All-Work showcasing her expertise in boot polishing services : This dedicated professional takes care of all your footwear needs with precision and skill - leaving you ready to step out in style. Waifs and Strays Society Lincoln - Boot polishing program transforms lives through skill-building.