Street Cleaning Collection

Victorian London boys begging and sweeping street, 1870
Vintage engraving of Victorian London boys begging and sweeping street. Mothers Last Words, Mrs Sewell, c.1870

Sketches in Vienna, watering the Streets (engraving)
1105387 Sketches in Vienna, watering the Streets (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sketches in Vienna, watering the Streets)

Sketches of Calcutta (engraving)
1609373 Sketches of Calcutta (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sketches of Calcutta. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 20 February 1858)

Improved Street Cleaning in the Metropolis (engraving)
1594126 Improved Street Cleaning in the Metropolis (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Improved Street Cleaning in the Metropolis)

Blundells Patent Sweeping Machine (engraving)
1607414 Blundells Patent Sweeping Machine (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Blundells Patent Sweeping Machine)

Sketches of the Russian People (engraving)
1589969 Sketches of the Russian People (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sketches of the Russian People)

The Cholera at Hamburg, disinfecting the Road where Tramcars are running (engraving)
1603525 The Cholera at Hamburg, disinfecting the Road where Tramcars are running (engraving) by Schonberg, Johann Nepomuk (1780-1863) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Cholera at Hamburg)

The Avenue des Champs-Elysees, c. 1895 (w / c on paper)
CHT239210 The Avenue des Champs-Elysees, c.1895 (w/c on paper) by French School, (19th century); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris, France; eArchives Charmet; French, out of copyright

Patent Road and Street Cleansing Machine (engraving)
1616951 Patent Road and Street Cleansing Machine (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Patent Road and Street Cleansing Machine)

Street-Cleaning in New York (engraving)
3637940 Street-Cleaning in New York (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Street-Cleaning in New York)

Ramasseur de Crottes de Chiens (chromolitho)
975957 Ramasseur de Crottes de Chiens (chromolitho) by Borgex, Louis (fl.1897); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ramasseur de Crottes de Chiens)

Londons Nightly Cleaning: Scene at the Base of the Monument, c1935. Creator: Unknown
Londons Nightly Cleaning: Scene at the Base of the Monument, c1935. Street cleaner hosing down the cobbles by the Monument in the City of London

Cleaning the streets of Billingsgate, London, 20th century. Londons main roads received a thorough clean at about 2 am every morning

Road sweeper, London, 1926-1927. A print from Wonderful London, edited by Arthur St John Adcock, Volume I, Amalgamated Press, London, 1926-1927

Poor London Street Children, 1870
Vintage engraving of Poor London Street Children, 19th Century. Mothers Last Words, Mrs Sewell

Cleaning vehicles, Grand Place, Brussels, Belgium, Europe

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In the bustling streets of Victorian London, young boys could often be seen begging for scraps while simultaneously sweeping the grimy roads. This poignant image captured in 1870 showcases their resilience amidst a city plagued by poverty and filth. Across Europe, street cleaning became an essential task to maintain public hygiene. Sketches from Vienna depict workers diligently watering the streets, ensuring that dust and dirt were kept at bay. Similarly, engravings from Calcutta showcase the efforts taken to keep the city clean, reflecting a global concern for sanitation. As urban centers grew larger and more populated, innovative solutions emerged to tackle this ever-present issue. An engraving titled "Improved Street Cleaning in the Metropolis" highlights advancements made in maintaining cleanliness within cities. Blundells Patent Sweeping Machine revolutionized street cleaning with its efficient design. Even beyond Europe and Asia, street cleaning played a vital role in maintaining public health worldwide. Engravings depicting Russian people engaged in this laborious task shed light on how different societies tackled cleanliness challenges. During times of crisis like the cholera outbreak in Hamburg, disinfecting roads where tramcars ran became crucial for preventing further spread of disease. Engravings capturing these scenes serve as reminders of humanity's constant battle against infectious diseases throughout history. Moving forward to c1895 Paris, we find ourselves strolling along The Avenue des Champs-Elysees through watercolor sketches on paper. Amidst its grandeur lies evidence of meticulous street cleaning efforts that have become synonymous with this iconic boulevard's charm. Advancements continued into modernity with inventions such as patent road and street cleansing machines showcased through engravings highlighting their efficiency and effectiveness across various cities globally - including New York City - where keeping streets pristine was paramount. Not only humans but even our furry friends' waste required attention too. A charming chromolithograph titled "Ramasseur de Crottes de Chiens" illustrates individuals dedicated to cleaning up after dogs, emphasizing the importance of responsible pet ownership.