Commissionaire Collection

Charles Reintzel, 1914. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Charles Reintzel, 1914. Creator: Harris & Ewing
Charles Reintzel, 1914

Monsieur le concierge, allant en soirée... 19th century. Creator: Honore Daumier
Monsieur le concierge, allant en soiree... 19th century. Monsieur le concierge, going out for the evening with my wife...I have the honour to request authorisation to let us in after midnight!

Portrait of Gilbert J. Pinkus, Three Deuces, New York, N.Y. ca. Nov. 1946 Creator: William Paul Gottlieb
Portrait of Gilbert J. Pinkus, Three Deuces, New York, N.Y. ca. Nov. 1946

Porte du palais Farnèse à Rome, c.1880. Creator: Auguste Dutuit
Porte du palais Farnese a Rome, c.1880. Door of the Farnese Palace in Rome

Portrait of Gilbert J. Pinkus, Three Deuces, New York, N.Y. ca. July 1948. Creator: William Paul Gottlieb
Portrait of Gilbert J. Pinkus, Three Deuces, New York, N.Y. ca. July 1948

Portrait of Charlie Barnet, 1938. Creator: William Paul Gottlieb
Portrait of Charlie Barnet, 1938

Portrait of Gilbert J. Pinkus, Three Deuces, New York, N.Y. ca. Aug. 1947. Creator: William Paul Gottlieb
Portrait of , Three Deuces, New York, N.Y. ca. Aug. 1947

Doorkeeper at State Dept, between 1910 and 1920. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Doorkeeper at State Dept
Doorkeeper at State Dept, between 1910 and 1920. African American man in government building, Washington, D.C

Two men, one a doorman, standing at the F. Street entrance to the Willard... between 1901 and 1910
Two men, one a doorman, standing at the F. Street entrance to the Willard Hotel, between 1901 and 1910

Belgian Mission To U.S. Arriving At Lars I.E. Larz Anderson Home - Gen. Leclereq Leaving Auto, 1917
Belgian Mission To U.S. Arriving At Lars I.E. Larz Anderson Home - Gen. Leclereq [sic] Leaving Auto, Washington DC, 1917. First World War

Belgian Mission To U.S. Arriving At Lars I.E. Larz Anderson Home, 1917. Creator: Harris & Ewing
Belgian Mission To U.S. Arriving At Lars I.E. Larz Anderson Home, Washington DC, 1917. First World War: meeting of diplomats, politicians and military personnel at the house of diplomat Larz Anderson

John Lennon (left) plays the part of a club commissionaire in this filming picture from 27th November 1966. The show is called Not Only....But Also and stars Peter Cook (right)

Mizpah Hotel, Tonopah, Nevada, USA, built in 1905, named after the Mizpah Mine, and the social hub of the area. Date: circa 1930

Vagrant of Paris, published 1892–1900. Creator: Theophile Alexandre Steinlen
Vagrant of Paris, published 1892-1900

Blind man, water carrier, commissionaire and domestic servant, reign of Louis XIII of France
976152 Blind man, water carrier, commissionaire and domestic servant, reign of Louis XIII of France, 17th Century (coloured engraving) by French School

Commissionaire (colour litho)
3650304 Commissionaire (colour litho) by Petherick, H.W. (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Commissionaire)

John Lennon plays the part of a club commissionaire in this filming picture from 27th November 1966. The show is called Not Only.. But Also and stars Peter Cook

Peter Cook (obscured) filming the comedy show called Not Only....But Also He is lying in Broadwick Street near Carnaby Steet, London during the filming of sketch

Peter Cook filming the comedy show called Not Only....But Also He is lying in Broadwick Street near Carnaby Steet, London during the filming of sketch

March of Reform - Master of Ceremonies in the H. of Commons Improved Manners... 1837
March of Reform - Master of Ceremonies in the H. of Commons Improved Manners (Much to be desired.) Arising Therefrom, 1837

Parliament Buildings and West Block with McKenzie Tower. Ottawa, Canada. c1930s
Parliament Buildings and West Block, McKenzie Tower form New Main Bldg. Ottawa, Ont. Canada. c1930s. Victorian Gothic West Block on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa

Entrance Gate, British Museum, Holborn, London, c1850. Artist: Alexander O Driscoll
Entrance Gate, British Museum, Holborn, London, c1850. A museum doorman in uniform stands at a large door, with a courtyard and further buildings of the British Museum visible in the background

The Commissionaire And Sergeant, (1885). Artist: Jeaurat
The Commissionaire And Sergeant, (1885). Illustration from 18th Century Institutions, Usages And Costumes, France 1700-1789, by Paul Lacroix, (Paris, 1885)

War Workers Alphabet
A poem of the alphabet showing wartime womens working jobs from A to Z, including things such ass for shepherdess. Every letter of the alphabet includes an illustration

Tom Jones Refused Admittance by the Noblemans Porter, from " The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling", 1792

Occupations 1882 - The Commissionaire. 1882

Russian Comissionnaire
A Russian Commissionaire - an attendant, messenger or subordinate employed in hotels, whose chief duty is to attend at railway stations, secure customers, take charge of their luggage

Silhouette of hotel commissionaire
Full-length silhouette of a commissionaire of The Cairn Hotel, in his uniform

Canine Commissionaire
A canine Commissionaire smoking a pipe! Date: early 1930s

Commissionaire Petherick
London characters: The commissionaire, who performs much the same functions as the couriers of the 21st century

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

The commissionaire, a figure steeped in history and tradition, has played various roles throughout the years. From the grand Mizpah Hotel in Tonopah, Nevada, USA to the bustling streets of 17th-century France during the reign of Louis XIII, their presence is felt across time and continents. In one snapshot from the War Workers Alphabet collection, we see John Lennon taking on the role of a club commissionaire. With his charismatic charm and unmistakable style, he effortlessly embodies this iconic figure. Delving further into history, we discover an enchanting illustration from "Vagrant of Paris, " published between 1892 and 1900 by Theophile Alexandre Steinlen. Amongst its pages lies a depiction of a commissionaire amidst a vibrant cityscape - a testament to their enduring significance in society. A colored engraving transports us back to 17th-century France where we find ourselves alongside a blind man, water carrier, domestic servant, and yes - even a commissionaire. This artwork serves as an exquisite portrayal of life during that era. Moving forward in time yet again brings us to another captivating image - this time showcasing a color lithograph simply titled "Commissionaire. " Its vivid hues capture our attention while leaving room for imagination about what awaits beyond those doors. As we journey through different eras and locations with our trusty guidebook on occupations from 1882, it becomes evident that being a commissionaire was not limited to any specific place or time. Their importance transcended borders as they stood at entrances like guardians welcoming visitors with warmth and professionalism. One photograph takes us all the way across the Atlantic Ocean to Ottawa's Parliament Buildings in Canada during the c1930s. Here stands McKenzie Tower overlooking these majestic structures where countless commissionaires have dutifully served over generations. London's British Museum also holds memories within its walls dating back centuries ago when Alexander O Driscoll captured its entrance gate in a stunning artwork from c1850.