Waif 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

Victorian London orphan boy begging on the street, 1870
Vintage engraving of Victorian London orphan boy begging on the street, 1870. Mothers Last Words, Mrs Sewell

The Ragged School Union Jubilee (litho)
1604716 The Ragged School Union Jubilee (litho) by Almond, William Douglas (1866-1916); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Ragged School Union Jubilee)

Girl in a Mulberry Dress, 1923 (oil on canvas)
SOU80724 Girl in a Mulberry Dress, 1923 (oil on canvas) by John, Gwen (1876-1939); 54x37.5 cm; Southampton City Art Gallery, Hampshire, UK; eSouthhampton City Art Gallery; Welsh, out of copyright

Poster for the silent film Oliver Twist by the Hungarian film production company Corvin, 1919 (poster)
1198216 Poster for the silent film Oliver Twist by the Hungarian film production company Corvin, 1919 (poster) by Bednar, Janos (1886-1932); 127x94 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Bednar)

The Ragged School Union Jubilee; A waif (engraving)
583477 The Ragged School Union Jubilee; A waif (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Mafeking, before and after the War (litho)
1039980 Mafeking, before and after the War (litho) by Spence, Percy F.S. (1868-1933) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mafeking, before and after the War)

"Rags and Tatters"(colour litho)
2814663 " Rags and Tatters" (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: " Rags and Tatters." Illustration for Bubbles edited by Dr Barnardo)

The Orphan, 1887 (oil on canvas)
987322 The Orphan, 1887 (oil on canvas) by Hunt, Walter (1861-1941); 101.6x167.7 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: The Orphan. Walter Hunt (1861-1941). Oil on canvas. Painted in 1887

Sparing the Leather! (colour litho)
2814638 Sparing the Leather! (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sparing the Leather)

Playing with a Top
BON32065 Playing with a Top by Ludovici, Albert Snr. (1820-94); Private Collection; Photo eBonhams, London, UK; English, out of copyright

A Waif from a Missing Ship (engraving)
1106800 A Waif from a Missing Ship (engraving) by Jackson, Samuel Phillips (1830-1904); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Waif from a Missing Ship)

A Waif from the Sea, 1912 (oil on canvas)
659785 A Waif from the Sea, 1912 (oil on canvas) by Wilbee, Christian Mary (d.1912); 76.9x52.7 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: A Waif from the Sea. Christian Mary Wilbee (fl. 1903-1912)

Illustrations from the Catalogue of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours (engraving)
1050492 Illustrations from the Catalogue of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours (engraving) by Dollman, John Charles (1851-1934) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

National Waifs Association 1900
National Waifs Association for destitute boys in Stepney Causeway, London. Photograph showing Dr. Barnardos giving boys a chance to learn a trade in blacksmithing. Date: 1900

Barnardos Waif with suitcase
A typical Barnardos promotional photograph of a waif in rags whom the organisation had rescued

Barnardo Waif Saturday, Birmingham
A well-dressed woman and two children collect money at a Barnardos fund-raising Waif Saturday held in the Birmingham area. A railway station entrance is nearby. Date: 1906

Barnardos Girl Waif
A typical Barnardos promotional photograph of a waif whom the organisation had rescued

Lost in London
A London policeman looks after a lost child while concerned pedestrians look on. Date: 1888

A Scene in St. Giless (engraving)
XJF476226 A Scene in St. Giless (engraving) by Pierdon, Francois (1821-1904); Private Collection; (add.info.: A scene of Victorian poverty in the St Giles district of London.); French

Scamp cheekily drinks a Gentlemans tipple whilst distracted
" Why don t we have Open-air Cafes? So pleasant to takes ones refreshment in the open air." (vide newspapers) Date: 1895

Young waif posing for an artist has no knowledge of lunch
A Fact (mores the pity) Artist - " Oh, by the way, have you had your lunch?" Little Waif (posing for the first time) - " Whats that?" Date: 1895

Policeman discovering sleeping waif on a doorstep
A policeman discovering a sleeping waif on a doorstep

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In the bustling streets of Victorian London, waifs were a common sight. These young boys, with their tattered clothes and dirt-streaked faces, would beg for scraps or sweep the streets in hopes of earning a few pennies. Their existence was one of hardship and struggle, as captured in haunting images from 1870. One such image shows an orphan boy standing alone on a desolate street corner, his outstretched hand pleading for help. His eyes tell a story of abandonment and desperation that is hard to ignore. Another picture depicts a Barnardos Waif clutching onto his suitcase tightly, perhaps carrying all his worldly possessions within it. But not all waifs were boys; there were also girls like the one portrayed in "Girl in a Mulberry Dress. " This painting from 1923 showcases an innocent face framed by cascading curls, yet her eyes hold hints of sorrow beneath her delicate smile. The plight of these waifs was not limited to London alone; even faraway places like Mafeking felt their impact. A lithograph titled "Mafeking before and after the War" reveals how war ravaged this once-thriving town, leaving behind destitute children who became waifs overnight. Artistic interpretations also shed light on the lives led by these forgotten souls. In "The Orphan, " painted in 1887, we see a solitary figure gazing into the distance with melancholy eyes - symbolizing both resilience and vulnerability simultaneously. Silent films like "Oliver Twist" brought attention to their struggles through powerful visuals depicted on posters. One such poster created by Corvin Film Production Company captures Oliver's journey from rags to riches against the backdrop of Victorian London's grim reality. Organizations like The Ragged School Union Jubilee played vital roles in providing education and support for these waifs.