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Sweeper Collection

Sweeping through time and across continents, the sweeper's humble yet vital role has left an indelible mark on history

Background imageSweeper Collection: Cosette, illustration from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Cosette, illustration from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
XEE4149981 Cosette, illustration from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, 1862 after Emile Antoine Bayard - Representation of Cosette

Background imageSweeper Collection: Constantinople, Turkey - Chimney Sweep

Constantinople, Turkey - Chimney Sweep

Background imageSweeper Collection: Bank of England / Busy

Bank of England / Busy
Busy street scene including coaches and a crossing sweeper, a figure peers out of an upstairs window and a flag flies from a tower

Background imageSweeper Collection: Advertisement for the Western Electric vacuum cleaner with a women patiently cleaning

Advertisement for the Western Electric vacuum cleaner with a women patiently cleaning the carpet around her snoozing husband. Lets hope that cigarette falls into his lap and wakes him up. Date: c.1924

Background imageSweeper Collection: HMS Jewel, British minesweeper M390

HMS Jewel, British minesweeper M390
HMS Jewel, British Algerine-class minesweeper M390. Date: circa 1960s

Background imageSweeper Collection: Bluebell in Fairyland by Seymour Hicks and Ellaline Terriss

Bluebell in Fairyland by Seymour Hicks and Ellaline Terriss
Flyer for the revival of the musical Bluebell in Fairyland on 26th December 1927 at The Scala Theatre, by Seymour Hicks and Ellaline Terriss, with music by Walter Slaughter

Background imageSweeper Collection: Cosette, illustration from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Cosette, illustration from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
XEE4149978 Cosette, illustration from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, 1862 after Emile Antoine Bayard - Representation of Cosette

Background imageSweeper Collection: Carpet Sweeper

Carpet Sweeper
A young housewife using a carpet sweeper

Background imageSweeper Collection: Snow Trafalgar Square

Snow Trafalgar Square
A man sweeps a path in the heavy snow at the base of Nelsons Column in Trafalgar Square. Note Landseers lions covered in snow

Background imageSweeper Collection: Indian Sweeper

Indian Sweeper
A sweeper, Punjab

Background imageSweeper Collection: United States, State of South Carolina: Port of the city of Charleston seen from the belfry of

United States, State of South Carolina: Port of the city of Charleston seen from the belfry of the Church of St
NWI4967355 United States, State of South Carolina: Port of the city of Charleston seen from the belfry of the Church of St. Michael, years 1880

Background imageSweeper Collection: Egypt, Cairo: Cook cruise, Nile side, sweepers sitting on the sidewalk smoke the shisha, 1900

Egypt, Cairo: Cook cruise, Nile side, sweepers sitting on the sidewalk smoke the shisha, 1900
LUX4778853 Egypt, Cairo: Cook cruise, Nile side, sweepers sitting on the sidewalk smoke the shisha, 1900; (add.info.: Egypt, Cairo: Cook cruise, Nile side)

Background imageSweeper Collection: United Kingdom, London: Somerset House, 1895 - Statue Wellington, tramway, post office, Salisbury

United Kingdom, London: Somerset House, 1895 - Statue Wellington, tramway, post office, Salisbury
LUX4815812 United Kingdom, London: Somerset House, 1895 - Statue Wellington, tramway, post office, Salisbury; (add.info.: United Kingdom, London: Somerset House, 1895 - Statue Wellington, tramway)

Background imageSweeper Collection: Switzerland, Canton of Geneve, Geneva: rue de la Treille, town hall, 1900

Switzerland, Canton of Geneve, Geneva: rue de la Treille, town hall, 1900
LUX4795054 Switzerland, Canton of Geneve, Geneva: rue de la Treille, town hall, 1900; (add.info.: Switzerland, Canton of Geneve, Geneva: rue de la Treille, town hall, 1900); Photo © Lux-in-Fine.

Background imageSweeper Collection: Figure of eight moth, Diloba caeruleocephala, white admiral, Limenitis arthemis, chimney sweeper

Figure of eight moth, Diloba caeruleocephala, white admiral, Limenitis arthemis, chimney sweeper, Odezia atrata
FLO4638810 Figure of eight moth, Diloba caeruleocephala, white admiral, Limenitis arthemis, chimney sweeper, Odezia atrata, red arches moth, Callimorpha miniata, brown plumed moth

Background imageSweeper Collection: Boulevard de Magenta, a worker sweeps the gutter, Paris, 1895 (b/w photo)

Boulevard de Magenta, a worker sweeps the gutter, Paris, 1895 (b/w photo)
LUX4782769 Boulevard de Magenta, a worker sweeps the gutter, Paris, 1895 (b/w photo); (add.info.: France, Ile-de-France, Paris (75): Boulevard de Magenta

Background imageSweeper Collection: A sweeper boy, 1850

A sweeper boy, 1850
3478710 A sweeper boy, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting a sweeper boy holding out his hat for payment. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Background imageSweeper Collection: Q le balayage du Quartier - 'Military Alphabet' 1837 (engraving)

Q le balayage du Quartier - "Military Alphabet" 1837 (engraving)
DUV4215693 Q le balayage du Quartier - "Military Alphabet" 1837 (engraving); (add.info.: Q le balayage du Quartier - Engraving 1837 in " Alphabet militaire" Lithographs by Clement)

Background imageSweeper Collection: Letter D: La Desiree. Engraving of 'The soldier's alphabet'. E.R

Letter D: La Desiree. Engraving of "The soldier's alphabet". E.R. Stop! , publisher, Paris, circa 1916
DUV4209238 Letter D: La Desiree. Engraving of "The soldier's alphabet". E.R. Stop! , publisher, Paris, circa 1916

Background imageSweeper Collection: Carpet sweeper or Bissell wrongly identified. Introduced from United States c1887. Engraving

Carpet sweeper or Bissell wrongly identified. Introduced from United States c1887. Engraving
530637 Carpet sweeper or Bissell wrongly identified. Introduced from United States c1887. Engraving; Universal History Archive/UIG.

Background imageSweeper Collection: Maids from adjoining terraced houses making the most of ''sweeping the steps'' as an opportunity

Maids from adjoining terraced houses making the most of ''sweeping the steps'' as an opportunity for a
3478238 Maids from adjoining terraced houses making the most of ''sweeping the steps'' as an opportunity for a good gossip

Background imageSweeper Collection: Exterior of the Paris Bourse

Exterior of the Paris Bourse
3078076 Exterior of the Paris Bourse; (add.info.: Exterior of the Paris Bourse, the historical Paris stock exchange. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Background imageSweeper Collection: Sweeping - Sweeping - Japan 1880-1910 - Hand coloured photo

Sweeping - Sweeping - Japan 1880-1910 - Hand coloured photo
CSO4979793 Sweeping - Sweeping - Japan 1880-1910 - Hand coloured photo; (add.info.: Sweeping - Sweeping - Japan 1880-1910 - Hand coloured photo); Photo © DDF. All rights reserved 2024.

Background imageSweeper Collection: France, Ile-de-France, Paris (75): beginning of July, preparation of the victory fete

France, Ile-de-France, Paris (75): beginning of July, preparation of the victory fete
LUX4799018 France, Ile-de-France, Paris (75): beginning of July, preparation of the victory fete, preparation of the Arc de Triomphe, 1919; (add.info.: France, Ile-de-France)

Background imageSweeper Collection: France, Lorraine, Vosges (88), Saint-Die: The place du marche after the march

France, Lorraine, Vosges (88), Saint-Die: The place du marche after the march
LUX4768137 France, Lorraine, Vosges (88), Saint-Die: The place du marche after the march. Cleaning the square, Statue of Jules Ferry, Cathedrale

Background imageSweeper Collection: Sweeper, Gasteropelecus, hatchetfish, Sternoptyx, piranha, Serrasalmus rhombeus, African hachidae

Sweeper, Gasteropelecus, hatchetfish, Sternoptyx, piranha, Serrasalmus rhombeus, African hachidae, Myletes species
FLO4684920 Sweeper, Gasteropelecus, hatchetfish, Sternoptyx, piranha, Serrasalmus rhombeus, African hachidae, Myletes species, lutefish, Citharinus citharus, ladyfish, Elops saurus

Background imageSweeper Collection: Capital letters Plate in 'Picturesque alphabet or New informative and picturesque alphabet'

Capital letters Plate in "Picturesque alphabet or New informative and picturesque alphabet", 1892 (engraving)
DUV4220493 Capital letters Plate in "Picturesque alphabet or New informative and picturesque alphabet", 1892 (engraving); 27x17.5 cm; (add.info)

Background imageSweeper Collection: Carpet sweeper or Bissell, introduced from the United States c1887. Engraving

Carpet sweeper or Bissell, introduced from the United States c1887. Engraving
530636 Carpet sweeper or Bissell, introduced from the United States c1887. Engraving; Universal History Archive/UIG.

Background imageSweeper Collection: Cartoon depicting a street sweeper, 1852 (engraving)

Cartoon depicting a street sweeper, 1852 (engraving)
5616389 Cartoon depicting a street sweeper, 1852 (engraving); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Background imageSweeper Collection: Tunisia, Sfax: Arab Quarter, cafe with murals. Sweeper. Animated view, 1900

Tunisia, Sfax: Arab Quarter, cafe with murals. Sweeper. Animated view, 1900
LUX4765911 Tunisia, Sfax: Arab Quarter, cafe with murals. Sweeper. Animated view, 1900; (add.info.: Tunisia, Sfax: Arab Quarter, cafe with murals. Sweeper)

Background imageSweeper Collection: France, Pays de la Loire, Maine-et-Loire (49), Angers: view of a barracks, cleaning house, 1895

France, Pays de la Loire, Maine-et-Loire (49), Angers: view of a barracks, cleaning house, 1895
LUX4790200 France, Pays de la Loire, Maine-et-Loire (49), Angers: view of a barracks, cleaning house, 1895; (add.info.: France, Pays de la Loire, Maine-et-Loire (49), Angers: view of a barracks

Background imageSweeper Collection: Letter H: The Chambermen. Engraving of 'The soldier's alphabet'. E.R

Letter H: The Chambermen. Engraving of "The soldier's alphabet". E.R
DUV4209266 Letter H: The Chambermen. Engraving of "The soldier's alphabet". E.R. Stop! , publisher, Paris, circa 1916

Background imageSweeper Collection: Carpet sweeper or Bissell, newly introduced from the United States. Engraving, London, 1887

Carpet sweeper or Bissell, newly introduced from the United States. Engraving, London, 1887
530630 Carpet sweeper or Bissell, newly introduced from the United States. Engraving, London, 1887; Universal History Archive/UIG.

Background imageSweeper Collection: Boy crossing sweeper who would earn a few pence by sweeping the road clean of horse droppings

Boy crossing sweeper who would earn a few pence by sweeping the road clean of horse droppings and any other such dirt
533893 Boy crossing sweeper who would earn a few pence by sweeping the road clean of horse droppings and any other such dirt

Background imageSweeper Collection: wiper

wiper
HAN dong hee

Background imageSweeper Collection: Woman at Work I

Woman at Work I
Tahsin Gun

Background imageSweeper Collection: The sweeper, c.1670. Creator: Pieter Janssens Elinga

The sweeper, c.1670. Creator: Pieter Janssens Elinga
The sweeper, c.1670

Background imageSweeper Collection: Coral reef with soft corals (Dendronephthya sp. ), encrusting sponges and Pygmy sweepers

Coral reef with soft corals (Dendronephthya sp. ), encrusting sponges and Pygmy sweepers
Coral reef with soft corals (Dendronephthya sp.), encrusting sponges and Pygmy sweepers (Parapriacanthus ransonetti) Similan Islands, Andaman Sea, Thailand

Background imageSweeper Collection: Ursula, Utensils, Utility, Unite, Urn, page 34 - Alphabet by Mademoiselle Lili, by L

Ursula, Utensils, Utility, Unite, Urn, page 34 - Alphabet by Mademoiselle Lili, by L
DUV4224191 Ursula, Utensils, Utility, Unite, Urn, page 34 - Alphabet by Mademoiselle Lili, by L. Froelich and by a dad (Hetzel himself). Bibliotheque & Magasin d'Education et de Recreation J

Background imageSweeper Collection: Street sweeper, Moscow, Russia

Street sweeper, Moscow, Russia

Background imageSweeper Collection: Road sweeper Victorian period

Road sweeper Victorian period

Background imageSweeper Collection: Whirlwind Suction Sweeper Advertisement

Whirlwind Suction Sweeper Advertisement
An advertisement for Stapley, Harrison and Watson Ltd. promoting the all British Whirlwind Suction Sweeper, the young lady in the illustration can be seen using the product

Background imageSweeper Collection: Brass anchor chain and propeller from WW1 period

Brass anchor chain and propeller from WW1 period
Brass anchor chain and propeller reputedly from a WW1 Royal Navy minesweeper. 21 inches

Background imageSweeper Collection: Thessaloniki, Greece - Street Sweepers resting

Thessaloniki, Greece - Street Sweepers resting after a hard day's work. Date: circa 1910s

Background imageSweeper Collection: The consequences of the crash of many railway companies

The consequences of the crash of many railway companies
3733989 The consequences of the crash of many railway companies. by Leech, John (1817-64); (add.info.: Cartoon commenting on the consequences of the crash of many railway companies)

Background imageSweeper Collection: Curling in Wengen (oil on canvas)

Curling in Wengen (oil on canvas)
AFR97131 Curling in Wengen (oil on canvas) by Lavery, John (1856-1941); South African National Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa; (add.info.: by John Lavery)

Background imageSweeper Collection: Sketch to illustrate 'Not Honourably Discharged', 1904 (w/c)

Sketch to illustrate "Not Honourably Discharged", 1904 (w/c)
XOS5887644 Sketch to illustrate "Not Honourably Discharged", 1904 (w/c) by Jacobs, Leroy William (1869-1917); Cleveland Museum of Art, OH, USA; (add.info.: William Leroy Jacobs (1869-1917))

Background imageSweeper Collection: C. & N. W. R. R. Mrs. Elibia Siematter, employed as a sweeper at the roundhouse, Clinton, Iowa, 1943

C. & N. W. R. R. Mrs. Elibia Siematter, employed as a sweeper at the roundhouse, Clinton, Iowa, 1943
C. & N.W. R.R. Mrs. Elibia Siematter, employed as a sweeper at the roundhouse, Clinton, Iowa



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Sweeping through time and across continents, the sweeper's humble yet vital role has left an indelible mark on history. From the pages of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, where Cosette finds solace amidst a world in turmoil, to Constantinople's bustling streets where chimney sweeps battled soot-filled chimneys, their presence was felt everywhere. Even the grandeur of the Bank of England couldn't escape their diligent touch as they tirelessly kept its surroundings clean. In an era when women patiently worked with Western Electric vacuum cleaners to maintain pristine homes, advertisements celebrated their dedication and attention to detail. On the high seas, brave sailors aboard HMS Jewel risked their lives as minesweepers, ensuring safe passage for others. Meanwhile, Seymour Hicks and Ellaline Terriss transported us to Fairyland with Bluebell and her enchanting adventures. Carpet sweepers became trusted companions in households worldwide while snow-covered Trafalgar Square witnessed dedicated sweepers battling winter's icy grip. Across oceans in India or amidst London's vibrant Soho district on Rupert Street W1, these unsung heroes diligently carried out their duties. From Moscow's bustling streets to every corner of our globe, street sweepers have been guardians against urban debris. Their tireless efforts remind us that even in the smallest tasks lies great importance. Whether depicted by renowned artists or captured in photographs throughout history; whether cleaning up after tragedy or maintaining everyday cleanliness – sweepers embody resilience and commitment that often goes unnoticed but is never forgotten.