Clerks Collection

National Service Wwi
Poster recruiting women to work as clerks and administrative support to the British Army in France during World War One

Telegraph Office 1900
Around a hundred telegraph clerks are employed in this one room alone at the Central Telegraph Office, London

General Post Office
THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, Lombard Street, London

Telegraph Office 1859
The offices of the Electric and International Telegraph Company in Moorgate Street, London

Medical Fund Society Offices, c. 1930
Behind the scenes at Swindons GWR Medical Fund, a range of work was undertaken including record keeping in the Societys offices on Milton Road

State Bank of the USSR, 1939
Registering the deposits of Soviet workers in the State Bank of the U.S.S.R in 1939. On the right, depositors can be seen at a counter waiting their turn while men

Interior of ticket office at London Bridge railway station
The interior of the ticket booking office at London Bridge railway station. The clerks serve customers through windows at the right

Marmottes administratives. Illustration for Le Pele-Mele, 1906 (colour litho)
3101415 Marmottes administratives. Illustration for Le Pele-Mele, 1906 (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Marmottes administratives)

Court Scene / Newgate / 1862
A trial at Newgate Date: 1862

Gpo Sorting, 1875
The General Post Office, London : stamping and sorting letters

The unloading of hay
5310199 The unloading of hay; (add.info.: Woodblock engraving depicting the unloading of hay in Paris. In the background clerks are keeping a tally so that duty can be levied)

The operating room at the General Post Office, 1874
3480011 The operating room at the General Post Office, 1874; (add.info.: The operating room at the General Post Office; St Martin's-Le-Grand; London)

The offices of the crucible steel section, 1890
3478912 The offices of the crucible steel section, 1890; (add.info.: The offices of the crucible steel section, Thos. Firth & Sons, Norfolk Works, Sheffield, circa 1890)

The great financial crisis of 1931, clerks rushing out of the bank after the fall of the bank rate to tell the brokers
3058473 The great financial crisis of 1931, clerks rushing out of the bank after the fall of the bank rate to tell the brokers on the Stock Exchange

The telegraph room, 1859
3480013 The telegraph room, 1859; (add.info.: The telegraph room; Electric and International Telegraph Company; Bell Alley; London. 1859.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Instrument gallery; Central Telegraph Office, 1888
3480012 Instrument gallery; Central Telegraph Office, 1888; (add.info.: Instrument gallery; Central Telegraph Office; St Martin's-Le-Grand; London.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

The Post Office telegraph headquarters, 1871
3480009 The Post Office telegraph headquarters, 1871; (add.info.: The Post Office telegraph headquarters; Telegraph Street; London: The instruments for carrying messages)

Post Office telegraph headquarters, 1871
3480003 Post Office telegraph headquarters, 1871; (add.info.: Post Office telegraph headquarters; Telegraph Street; London: the batteries for operating the 395 instruments)

Clerks at the Railway Clearing House
5310153 Clerks at the Railway Clearing House; (add.info.: Engraving depicting clerks at the Railway Clearing House. This organisation was set up to make it possible for passengers)

Engraving depicting female clerks, 19th century
5308898 Engraving depicting female clerks, 19th century; (add.info.: Engraving depicting female clerks. Dated 19th century 01/02/1892); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Letter Carriers room arranged for the dispatch of newspapers in the evening
FLO4669698 Letter Carriers room arranged for the dispatch of newspapers in the evening. The Royal Mail handled 100,000 newspapers a day between 6 pm and 8 pm

Telegraph clerks at the General Post Office St Martin's-le-Grand, 1888
3480000 Telegraph clerks at the General Post Office St Martin's-le-Grand, 1888; (add.info.: Telegraph clerks at the General Post Office St Martin's-le-Grand; London)

Clerks passing their time in idleness, 1836
3478929 Clerks passing their time in idleness, 1836; (add.info.: Holiday at the Public Offices' - clerks passing their time in idleness)

Clerks at the Public Offices passing their time in idleness during the holiday period, 1850
3478583 Clerks at the Public Offices passing their time in idleness during the holiday period, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting clerks at the Public Offices passing their time in idleness)

An engraving depicting a travelling chair for book-keepers and clerks which enabled them to change books without moving
5311214 An engraving depicting a travelling chair for book-keepers and clerks which enabled them to change books without moving out of their chair

An engraving depicting a holiday at the Public Office -clerks passing their time in idleness
5311037 An engraving depicting a holiday at the Public Office -clerks passing their time in idleness. Illustrated George Cruikshank (1792-1878) a British caricaturist and book illustrator

The offices of the crucible steel section, 1890
3478913 The offices of the crucible steel section, 1890; (add.info.: The offices of the crucible steel section, Thos. Firth & Sons, Norfolk Works, Sheffield, circa 1890)

The offices of the Publisher, George Newnes, 1892
3478914 The offices of the Publisher, George Newnes, 1892; (add.info.: The offices of the Publisher, George Newnes, 1892. Note the Gas lamps from the ceiling.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

The Inland Office within the General Post Office. Royal Mail clerks sorting some of the 200 million letters sent
FLO4669686 The Inland Office within the General Post Office. Royal Mail clerks sorting some of the 200 million letters sent annually in England in the 1840s

A female telegraph clerk at the General Post Office, 1888
3480001 A female telegraph clerk at the General Post Office, 1888; (add.info.: A female telegraph clerk at the General Post Office; St Martin's-le-Grand; London)

The British Army Post-Office, Constantinople, 1856. Creator: Unknown
The British Army Post-Office, Constantinople, 1856. Crimean War: The staff employed consists of a postmaster and three assistant postmasters; eight clerks

Weather Bureau, between 1914 and 1918. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Weather Bureau, between 1914 and 1918
Weather Bureau, between 1914 and 1918. USA. Map of Storm and Cold Wave Warning Stations, USA

The Prerogative Court, Doctors Commons, 1850. Creator: Unknown
The Prerogative Court, Doctors Commons, 1850. Illustration to an article by Thomas Miller and Godfrey Malvern. Interior of...the chambers where the wills of the dead are deposited [near the corner of

A tea ship, the Loudoun Castle (spelt Louden Castle in the picture), from Hankow, China, commencing unloading ( breaking bulk ). The ship discharged from her vast hold 40, 000 packages of tea

Havas Publicity Agency, Paris, c. 1900
3785059 Havas Publicity Agency, Paris, c. 1900.; (add.info.: Havas Publicity Agency, Paris, c. 1900. Adminstration department ('service d'Execution').); Lebrecht History

Ancient Egypt, Relief/Carving, Tomb of Merereuka, Mastaba of Merereuka, 6th Dynasty, Saqqara
3476398 Ancient Egypt, Relief/Carving, Tomb of Merereuka, Mastaba of Merereuka, 6th Dynasty, Saqqara, Village elders forced to admit their faulty tax returns to clerks (photo); (add.info)

Ancient Egypt, Relief, Village elders forcd to admit their faulty tax returns to clerks, Tomb of Merereuka
3476397 Ancient Egypt, Relief, Village elders forcd to admit their faulty tax returns to clerks, Tomb of Merereuka, 6th Dyn (photo); (add.info.: Ancient Egypt, Relief)

Female Clerks at Swindon Works, 1916
This image of female clerks was taken in May 1916, just 10 years after women were first employed in clerical positions within the GWR

School Band, Rusell Hill Schools, Purley, Victorian period

Fire Brigade, Warehousemen and Clerks Schools, Russell Hill, Purley

School band, Warehousemen and Clerks Schools, Russell Hill, Purley

Fire drill, Rusell Hill Schools, Purley, Victorian period

Fire drill, Warehousemen and Clerks Schools, Russell Hill, Purley

Gymnastics, Rusell Hill Schools, Purley, Victorian period

Warehousemen and Clerks Schools, Russell Hill, Purley

Dormitory, Rusell Hill Schools, Purley, Victorian period

Dormitory, Warehousemen and Clerks Schools, Russell Hill, Purley

Rusell Hill Schools, Purley, Victorian period

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Clerks: The Unsung Heroes of the Past" In times of war and peace, clerks played a vital role in various sectors. From the National Service during World War I to the bustling Telegraph Office in 1900, these dedicated individuals were the backbone of administrative efficiency. The General Post Office served as a hub for communication, with clerks diligently sorting messages at the Telegraph Office since its inception in 1859. Their meticulous work ensured that important news reached its destination promptly. Even beyond communication, they were present in diverse settings. Take, for instance, the Medical Fund Society Offices circa 1930 or the State Bank of USSR in 1939 – their expertise was essential for managing finances and ensuring smooth operations. From ticket offices at London Bridge railway station to Marmottes administratives depicted in Le Pele-Mele's colorful lithograph from 1906, clerks facilitated daily transactions and kept society running seamlessly. Their presence extended even into courtrooms like Newgate Prison's Court Scene in 1862. Clerks meticulously recorded proceedings and maintained order amidst legal chaos. Education institutions also relied on these diligent professionals. Whether it was capturing moments with a Victorian-era school band at Rusell Hill Schools or training future firefighters at Warehousemen and Clerks Schools – clerical support was crucial to nurturing young minds and preparing them for their futures. Through GPO Sorting scenes captured in 1875 or glimpses into various historical periods such as Victorian times, we witness how these unsung heroes worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes to keep organizations functioning smoothly. Today's world may have evolved technologically but let us not forget those who paved the way – our predecessors who diligently carried out their duties as clerks. They deserve recognition for their unwavering commitment throughout history.