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Topical Press Agency Collection

"Capturing History through the Lens

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Balloting for the coal strike, Wheatsheaf Colliery, Pendlebury, January 1912, (c1920)

Balloting for the coal strike, Wheatsheaf Colliery, Pendlebury, January 1912, (c1920). Artist: Topical Press Agency
Balloting for the coal strike, Wheatsheaf Colliery, Pendlebury, near Manchester, January 1912, (c1920). Illustration from Story of the British Nation, Volume IV, by Walter Hutchinson, (London, c1920s)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Ambulance Train

Ambulance Train
An ambulance train at Eastleigh in Hampshire, May 1918. (Photo by V. M. Palmer/Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Swanwick Station

Swanwick Station in Hampshire, 25th August 1913. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Electric Train

Electric Train
A new electric train leaves Blackheath railway station in London, 8th June 1926. (Photo by MacGregor/Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Young Tony Hapgood shows his skills at Highbury, London, c1933-c19375). Artist: Topical Press Agency

Young Tony Hapgood shows his skills at Highbury, London, c1933-c19375). Artist: Topical Press Agency
Young Tony Hapgood shows his skills at Highbury, (1945). Watched by Arsenal footballers Eddie Hapgood (his father) (1908-1973), Frank Moss (1909-1970) and Alex James

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: England captain Eddie Hapgood receives treatment for a broken nose after a match with Italy, 1934

England captain Eddie Hapgood receives treatment for a broken nose after a match with Italy, 1934. Tom Whittaker (1898-1956), the England teams trainer, treats Hapgoods (1908-1973) broken nose

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Recording Daily Time Signal at Liverpool Street Station, London and North Eastern Railway, 1930

Recording Daily Time Signal at Liverpool Street Station, London and North Eastern Railway, 1930. From " The Wonder Book of Railways", edited by Harry Golding. [Ward, Lock & Co

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Barnardos Boys

Barnardos Boys
Boys from a Dr Barnardos home prepare to leave Liverpool for Canada on the liner Duchess of York, 19th April 1929. (Photo by Gaiger/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Mahatma Gandhi visiting London for Round Table conferences, September 1931. Artist

Mahatma Gandhi visiting London for Round Table conferences, September 1931. Artist
Mahatma Gandhi visiting London for Round Table conferences, September 1931. Mohondas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948), known as Mahatma (Great Soul)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Lord Balfour speaking at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Palestine, 1927. Artist

Lord Balfour speaking at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Palestine, 1927. Artist
Lord Balfour speaking at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Palestine, 1927. Arthur James Balfour (1848-1930) was a British Conservative politician

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: David Alfred Thomas appointed Food Controller, 1917. Artist: Topical Press Agency

David Alfred Thomas appointed Food Controller, 1917. Artist: Topical Press Agency
David Alfred Thomas appointed Food Controller, 1917. Welsh industrialist and Liberal politician David Alfred Thomas, 1st Viscount Rhondda (1856-1918)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Cultivating Rice, 1924. Artist: Topical Press Agency

Cultivating Rice, 1924. Artist: Topical Press Agency
Cultivating Rice, 1924. From The British Empire in Pictures, by H. Clive Barnard, M.A. B.Litt. [A. & C. Black, Limited, London, 1924]

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: The Kremlin, Moscow, Russia, c1930s. Artist: Topical Press Agency

The Kremlin, Moscow, Russia, c1930s. Artist: Topical Press Agency
The Kremlin, Moscow, Russia, c1930s. A print from Countries of the World, edited by JA Hammerton, volume IV, The Fleetway House, c1930s

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: The Kings Liverpool regiment waiting for the Germans, First World War, 1914-1918, (c1920)

The Kings Liverpool regiment waiting for the Germans, First World War, 1914-1918, (c1920). Artist: Topical Press Agency
The men of the Kings Liverpool regiment waiting for the Germans, First World War, 1914-1918, (c1920). Illustration from The Illustrated War Record of the Most Notable Episodes in the Great European

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Exmouth Station

Exmouth Station
The resurfacing of the platform at Exmouth railway station in Devon, September 1925. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Signal Box

Signal Box
A signal box at a London station, 20th January 1939. Original Publication : Picture Post - 362 - The Life Of A London Station - pub

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Boer War

Boer War
circa 1899: A bullock waggon kraal. (Photo by Reinhold Thiele/Thiele/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Enrico Caruso

Enrico Caruso
circa 1900: Italian operatic tenor Enrico Caruso (1873 - 1921), one of the first opera singers to achieve fame through gramophone recordings. (Photo by W. & D. Downey/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus
Traffic at Piccadilly Circus in London, May 1910. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: First Class Travel

First Class Travel
A first class coach at Charing Cross Station, January 1924. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Charing Cross Station

Charing Cross Station
The new roof of Charing Cross station in London, as seen from the platform, 1907. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Victoria Station

Victoria Station
The exterior of Victoria Station in London, January 1924. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Marshalling Yard

Marshalling Yard
A marshalling yard in Feltham, 4th October 1920. (Photo by H. F. Davis/Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Electric Train

Electric Train
A new electric train leaves Dartford Junction, 8th June 1926. (Photo by MacGregor/Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Moscow Cathedral

Moscow Cathedral
The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, during a conference of the Council of Russian Priests, October 1925. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot
The cups arrive at Ascot Station prior to the races, 16th June 1908. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge
A floodlit Tower Bridge on the River Thames, London, 13th July 1953. (Photo by Fresco/Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Collection: Chelsea Flower Show

Chelsea Flower Show
A downpour at the Chelsea Flower Show, May 1923. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)


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"Capturing History through the Lens: The Topical Press Agency" Step back in time and witness pivotal moments in history with the iconic photographs from the Topical Press Agency. From balloting for the coal strike at Wheatsheaf Colliery to capturing the electrifying sight of an electric train at Swanwick Station, this agency has documented it all. Their lens also captured poignant scenes like an ambulance train rushing to aid those in need and young Tony Hapgood showcasing his skills at Highbury, London. The agency's photographers were not limited to sports or local events; they also had a keen eye for international affairs. England captain Eddie Hapgood receiving treatment for a broken nose after a match with Italy showcases their dedication to capturing both triumphs and challenges faced by athletes. They even immortalized Mahatma Gandhi's visit to London during Round Table conferences in September 1931, as well as Lord Balfour speaking at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Palestine. Not only did they document significant events and people, but they also shed light on everyday life. Recording daily time signals at Liverpool Street Station or cultivating rice became subjects of their artistry too. Through their lenses, we get glimpses into various aspects of society – from Barnardos Boys finding hope amidst adversity to David Alfred Thomas taking up his role as Food Controller during World War I. The Topical Press Agency truly left an indelible mark on history by preserving these moments frozen in time. Their photographs continue to captivate us today, allowing us to delve into different eras and experience them firsthand through their artistic vision.