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Reading Collection

Background imageReading Collection: A bedtime story

A bedtime story. Cover illustration from Once Upon a Time no. 13

Background imageReading Collection: Children playing in front of a roaring fire

Children playing in front of a roaring fire. Source unknown

Background imageReading Collection: A Story at Bedtime

A Story at Bedtime

Background imageReading Collection: Library attendant

Library attendant

Background imageReading Collection: The Dancing Princesses

The Dancing Princesses. From Playhour no. 237 (25 April 1959)

Background imageReading Collection: Poster advertising British military uniform, WW1

Poster advertising British military uniform, WW1
Poster advertising British military uniform, The Studington Military Kit... obtainable only from Studd & Millington Ltd, Military Tailors. Chromolithograph poster, 1914 (c)

Background imageReading Collection: Rambles in South Devon - 1930s

Rambles in South Devon - 1930s
Front cover of a guide to rambling in South Devon showing a couple enjoying a rest amid open skies and a patchwork quilt of fields, with the sea and coastline just visible beyond. Date: c.1935

Background imageReading Collection: Nude pin-up by David Wright

Nude pin-up by David Wright
Pin-up by David Wright, almost entirely nude, save for a pair of high heeled shoes and a book she has been reading placed strategically in her lap. Date: c.1945

Background imageReading Collection: Chocolate box design, lady with book and dog

Chocolate box design, lady with book and dog
Chocolate box design, showing an early 19th century scene of a lady in a garden, reading a book, watched by her dog. 20th century

Background imageReading Collection: Good Things to Know - Woolworths booklet

Good Things to Know - Woolworths booklet
A booklet produced by high street retailer Woolworths, entitled Good Things to Know and including numerous tips on how to clean your house, save money and of course

Background imageReading Collection: Business card design, woman reading

Business card design, woman reading
Business card design, made in France, depicting a woman sitting comfortably in an armchair under a standard lamp, reading a book. 20th century

Background imageReading Collection: Girl reading The Bystander magazine, WWI

Girl reading The Bystander magazine, WWI
Studio photographic portrait of a young girl dressed in a white dress holding a copy of The Bystander magazine

Background imageReading Collection: Pencil sketch of little girl lying down reading

Pencil sketch of little girl lying down reading
Pencil sketch of a little girl in a sun bonnet, lying down reading with her feet up in the air. 1920s

Background imageReading Collection: Reading lesson for bears

Reading lesson for bears, a Teddly and Cuddly story in Playhour

Background imageReading Collection: Teddy Bear (with hidden objects)

Teddy Bear (with hidden objects)
Teddy Bear. From Teddy Bear (28 October 1967)

Background imageReading Collection: R is for Robin

R is for Robin

Background imageReading Collection: Students reading in Balliol College JCR, Oxford

Students reading in Balliol College JCR, Oxford
Students reading newspapers and magazines in the Junior Common Room of Balliol College, Oxford. Date: 1958

Background imageReading Collection: Child sitting by the fire by Muriel Dawson

Child sitting by the fire by Muriel Dawson
A child sitting by the fire by Muriel Dawson. 1920s

Background imageReading Collection: The Picture Paper

The Picture Paper
Advertisement for magazine depicting and artistocrat and an impoverished girl reading the same news sheet - a paper for everyone Date: 1911

Background imageReading Collection: Students at work in Bodleian Library, Oxford

Students at work in Bodleian Library, Oxford
Students at work in the Bodleian Library, Oxford. Date: 1958

Background imageReading Collection: Babas Ready for Filling with Whipping Cream

Babas Ready for Filling with Whipping Cream
Danish Pastry Specialties, Babas Ready for Filling with Whipping Cream Date: 1936

Background imageReading Collection: Grandfather reads to grandchildren

Grandfather reads to grandchildren
Grandfather reads a Rupert the Bear picture book to his grandchildren, both of whom have fallen asleep. Date: circa 1980

Background imageReading Collection: White Star Line, SS Olympic window sketches

White Star Line, SS Olympic window sketches
A White Star Line handwritten booklet entitled Particulars of Oceanic Steam Navigation Co, SS Olympic, May 1911. The vessel returned to the shipyard in Belfast in October 1911 for alterations

Background imageReading Collection: The First Lesson -- sisters with a book

The First Lesson -- sisters with a book
The first lesson -- two little sisters study a book. 19th century

Background imageReading Collection: Client, shoeshine and pickpocket, Naples, Italy

Client, shoeshine and pickpocket, Naples, Italy
A staged studio photo of a client with a shoeshine man and pocket picking boy, Naples, Italy. late 19th century

Background imageReading Collection: Geishas sewing, reading and writing, Japan

Geishas sewing, reading and writing, Japan
Three geishas sewing, reading and writing, Japan. circa 1890s

Background imageReading Collection: Geisha reading, Japan

Geisha reading, Japan
Geisha reading, apparently while making tea, Japan. circa 1890s

Background imageReading Collection: Teddy Bear in bed

Teddy Bear in bed

Background imageReading Collection: Pencil sketch of girl and boy reading

Pencil sketch of girl and boy reading
Pencil sketch of a girl and a boy reading. 1920s

Background imageReading Collection: Alluring letter reader by David Wright

Alluring letter reader by David Wright
An alluring looking woman with an exotic flower in her hair pictured reading a letter. Date: c.1944

Background imageReading Collection: Poster, Dutch mother on holiday with daughters

Poster, Dutch mother on holiday with daughters
Poster depicting a Dutch mother on holiday with her two daughters (a public service advertisement). circa late 1930s

Background imageReading Collection: Book cover, Learning to Spell

Book cover, Learning to Spell, by Irene Martyn. Showing a girl at a desk in front of a blackboard. circa 1940s

Background imageReading Collection: Out of Doors -- children at home with mother

Out of Doors -- children at home with mother
Out of Doors -- two children at home with their mother. The boy seems to be getting into mischief -- a sure sign that he would be better out of doors. 19th century

Background imageReading Collection: British officers relaxing, Western Front, WW1

British officers relaxing, Western Front, WW1
Four British army officers relaxing behind the lines on the Western Front during World War One. Their chairs are made from ration boxes. circa 1916

Background imageReading Collection: Elderly mans secret reading material

Elderly mans secret reading material
An elderly pipe smoking gent raises an eybrow as he reveals it is not the daily newspaper which is grasping his attention

Background imageReading Collection: Rococo lectern, Studienkirche, Dillingen, Bavaria, Germany

Rococo lectern, Studienkirche, Dillingen, Bavaria, Germany
View of a rococo style lectern in the Studienkirche (Study Church or University Church), formerly the Jesuit Church of the Assumption, in Dillingen an der Donau, Bavaria, Germany

Background imageReading Collection: Advertisement for Playmate Premium Beer

Advertisement for Playmate Premium Beer, with the zing of malt liquor, showing an eye, eyebrow and red lips. No deposit, no return

Background imageReading Collection: The Book Shop

The Book Shop
Two girls (one hardly older than a toddler!) look through a variety of volumes in a Bookshop Date: 1902

Background imageReading Collection: Titanic blueprint (part)

Titanic blueprint (part)
Part of the blueprint of the SS Titanic, showing first, second and third class passenger areas, crew rooms and boiler rooms. Date: circa 1912

Background imageReading Collection: Titanic Reading and Writing Room

Titanic Reading and Writing Room
The Reading and Writing Room on the ill-fated Titanic, which sank on 15 April 1912. Date: 1912

Background imageReading Collection: Sketch of a little girl reading a book

Sketch of a little girl reading a book
Sketch of a little girl sitting on the floor reading a book

Background imageReading Collection: Ordnance Survey map cover - Dorking and Leith Hill

Ordnance Survey map cover - Dorking and Leith Hill
Front cover of an Ordnance Survey map covering the Dorking and Leith Hill area of Surrey. The cover features a hiker or rambler leaning against a wall and smoking a pipe as he consults his map

Background imageReading Collection: Dunce, dunce, double D

Dunce, dunce, double D, he can t say his A B C. Children in a classroom, with a boy wearing a dunces hat, standing on a stool. 20th century

Background imageReading Collection: Back Number by David Wright

Back Number by David Wright
Pin up by David Wright featuring an elegant woman seated on the edge of a bed in a state of deshabilee, flicking idly through a magazine. 1941

Background imageReading Collection: American soldiers relaxing, Western Front, WW1

American soldiers relaxing, Western Front, WW1

Background imageReading Collection: British soldier relaxing on a stretcher, Somme, WW1

British soldier relaxing on a stretcher, Somme, WW1
A British soldier relaxing and reading the news on an abandoned German stretcher on the Somme, Western Front, during World War One. circa 1916

Background imageReading Collection: Inside Passengers by Louis Wain

Inside Passengers by Louis Wain -- a group of humanised cats riding in a bus

Background imageReading Collection: Female model in red tartan outfit

Female model in red tartan outfit
female model in red tartan outfit consisting of three or four different patterns. 1980s

Background imageReading Collection: Lloyd George and Lord Reading, Western Front, WW1

Lloyd George and Lord Reading, Western Front, WW1
Lloyd George and Lord Reading visiting soldiers graves on the Western Front in France during World War One. circa 1916

Background imageReading Collection: Flower-seller in silhouette

Flower-seller in silhouette
A Flower Girl, although she looks more like a lady of a certain age, seated next to the flowers she sells to Londoners each day. Date: 1926

Background imageReading Collection: Womens Royal Air Force -- The Orders for the Day

Womens Royal Air Force -- The Orders for the Day
Illustration, Eight Months with the Womens Royal Air Force. Showing a group of women reading a notice on the wall to find out what are the Orders for the Day. 1919-1920

Background imageReading Collection: Womens Royal Air Force -- Rest Room

Womens Royal Air Force -- Rest Room
Illustration, Eight Months with the Womens Royal Air Force. Showing women relaxing in the Rest Room -- two are dancing, another is playing the piano. 1919-1920

Background imageReading Collection: Angel reading a book

Angel reading a book
An angel reading a book by lamplight, on a greetings card

Background imageReading Collection: Little girl reading newspaper by Muriel Dawson

Little girl reading newspaper by Muriel Dawson
A little girl reading a newspaper, by Muriel Dawson. circa 1930s

Background imageReading Collection: The Student by Muriel Dawson

The Student by Muriel Dawson -- a little toddler sits looking at a picture book. 1933

Background imageReading Collection: Happy Hours by Muriel Dawson

Happy Hours by Muriel Dawson -- a little girl sits reading. 1943

Background imageReading Collection: The Annunciation by Zanobi Strozzi

The Annunciation by Zanobi Strozzi, on an altarpiece

Background imageReading Collection: Enchanted Hours by Muriel Dawson

Enchanted Hours by Muriel Dawson -- a little girl sits reading a book. 1940

Background imageReading Collection: Lord Reading jumps over trench, Western Front, WW1

Lord Reading jumps over trench, Western Front, WW1
Lord Reading, British Lord Chief Justice, jumping over a trench during a visit to the Western Front in France, World War One. circa 1916

Background imageReading Collection: Lloyd George on edge of mine crater, Western Front, WW1

Lloyd George on edge of mine crater, Western Front, WW1
Lloyd George and Lord Reading on the edge of a mine crater during a visit to the Western Front in France, World War One. circa 1916

Background imageReading Collection: Lloyd George discussing ammunition supply, WW1

Lloyd George discussing ammunition supply, WW1
Lloyd George discussing ammunition supply with Lord Reading and M. Albert Thomas (French Minister for Munitions) on the Western Front in France during World War One. circa 1916

Background imageReading Collection: Cobbetts Advice to Young Men

Cobbetts Advice to Young Men
Front cover of Advice to Young Men by William Cobbett, an instruction booklet for the eighteenth century youth. Date: 1887

Background imageReading Collection: Tokyo subway

Tokyo subway
A mans face is obscured as he reads a newspaper while sitting on a subway train in Tokyo. Another man in a suit sits next to him. Date: 1986

Background imageReading Collection: Cover design, My Shopping Addresses

Cover design, My Shopping Addresses
Cover design for an address book, My Shopping Addresses, depicting a young woman sitting on a low stool reading a letter

Background imageReading Collection: Page boy carrying books

Page boy carrying books
Illustration on Library List booklet, depicting a little page boy in yellow, carrying a pile of books

Background imageReading Collection: Cover design, Library List

Cover design, Library List

Background imageReading Collection: Holidaymakers on the beach at Hastings, Sussex

Holidaymakers on the beach at Hastings, Sussex
Three holidaymakers, two women and a man, sitting on the pebbly beach at Hastings, Sussex. He is reading the Daily Sketch newspaper. A terrace of hotels can be seen in the background. June 1927

Background imageReading Collection: Horse reading over boys shoulder

Horse reading over boys shoulder
A boy stands reading his Boys Own magazine, while a white horse appears to be reading over his shoulder

Background imageReading Collection: Three men taking a break

Three men taking a break from their work in a back garden. They are sitting on planks of wood

Background imageReading Collection: Elderly man and little girl in a garden

Elderly man and little girl in a garden

Background imageReading Collection: Portrait of 1930s woman reading

Portrait of 1930s woman reading
Portrait of a young woman, 1930s, reading a newspaper. Date: c.1934

Background imageReading Collection: A Mother reads a story to her children

A Mother reads a story to her children

Background imageReading Collection: Boy sitting and reading

Boy sitting and reading
A young boy sits on a pouffe reading a book. Pastel sketch by Raymond Sheppard Date: circa late 1940s

Background imageReading Collection: Scene inside a cafe in Arachova, near Delphi, Greece

Scene inside a cafe in Arachova, near Delphi, Greece
A solitary man sits at a table reading his newspaper in a cafe in Arachova, near Delphi, Greece. Date: 1965

Background imageReading Collection: Girl and boy lie on the floor surrounded by toys

Girl and boy lie on the floor surrounded by toys
Girl and boy lying on the floor surrounded by their toys, whilst reading a story book. Watercolour painting by Raymond Sheppard Date: circa late 1940s

Background imageReading Collection: Scene outside a cafe in Corfu Town, Corfu, Greece

Scene outside a cafe in Corfu Town, Corfu, Greece
A scene outside a cafe in Corfu Town on the Greek island of Corfu. Two men sit chatting at a table on the pavement, while a younger man leans against the wall, gazing towards the camera

Background imageReading Collection: Aldermaston Marchers at Reading

Aldermaston Marchers at Reading
Aldermaston Marchers walking through Reading, Berkshire, carrying placards, on the second day of their march from Aldermaston to London. Date: 1959

Background imageReading Collection: Street market in Calangute, Goa, India

Street market in Calangute, Goa, India
A busy street market in Calangute, Goa, India, with the Fatima Restaurant in the background. Date: 1992

Background imageReading Collection: Couple sunbathing, North Kensington

Couple sunbathing, North Kensington
A couple sunbathing outside a scruffy basement flat off Ladbroke Grove, North Kensington, London

Background imageReading Collection: Scene in Princedale Road

Scene in Princedale Road
A scene in Princedale Road, North Kensington, London. A little boy sits on a doorstep reading the latest comic, with his dog relaxing on the pavement next to him

Background imageReading Collection: Passengers on a Tokyo train

Passengers on a Tokyo train
A group of passengers on a train in Tokyo, Japan -- some are straphanging, some are sitting. Date: 1986

Background imageReading Collection: Girl reading whilst sat on a cuskion on the floor

Girl reading whilst sat on a cuskion on the floor
Young girl reading whilst sat on a cushion on the floor. Watercolour painting by Raymond Sheppard Date: circa late 1940s

Background imageReading Collection: Deaf Cyclist

Deaf Cyclist
This cyclist is wearing a sandwich board reading beware, I am deaf. Date: early 1930s

Background imageReading Collection: Dog and Cat Reading

Dog and Cat Reading
A puppy and a kitten reading a story book together. Date: early 1930s




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