Smartness Collection

Home and family transformed into models of comfort and smartness by the housewife's industry with the help of
530590 Home and family transformed into models of comfort and smartness by the housewife's industry with the help of the Singer sewing machine (engraving); (add.info)

Comic Postcard - Dirty Collar - Donald McGill
A collar for your Father? Yes Miss - like the one I'm wearing? No - a clean one. Date: circa 1925

La reciproque est vraie. Illustration for Le Pele-Mele, 1900 (colour litho)
3097222 La reciproque est vraie. Illustration for Le Pele-Mele, 1900 (colour litho) by Guillaume, Albert (1873-1942); Private Collection; (add.info.: La reciproque est vraie)

Major Viscount Downe (colour litho)
612666 Major Viscount Downe (colour litho) by Ward, Leslie Matthew (Spy) (1851-1922); Private Collection; (add.info.: Major Viscount Downe, Smartness, 27 October 1883, Vanity Fair)

Woman police officer W Gould in uniform, London
Woman police officer Winifred Gould (joined August 1931) in a studio photo with painted backdrop. She is wearing the recently updated Stanley uniform -- a white shirt and tie were introduced

Woman police officer W Gould at Woolwich, SE London
Woman police officer Winifred Gould (joined August 1931) photographed outside Woolwich Police Station, SE London. She is wearing the recently updated Stanley uniform -- a white shirt

Woman police officer K M Boyd in uniform, London
Woman police officer Kathleen Mary Boyd (joined October 1931) in uniform, London, 22 October 1934. Date: 1934

Woman police officer posing in uniform, London
Woman police officer Ivy Cook (joined December 1930) posing in the recently updated Stanley uniform. A white shirt and tie were introduced, the jacket had four buttons and a matching material belt

Woman police officer posing in uniform, London, WW2
Woman police officer Sergeant Ivy Cook (joined December 1930) posing in uniform, 18 June 1940. Date: 1940

Advert for Charnaux womens beachwear 1935
An advertisement for American beachwear for women by Charnaux - their newest contribution to summer gaiety and smartness. Date: 1935

Dalmatian by Coach Wheel
Dalmatian, once also known as coach dog as the dogs ran between the wheels of its owners carriage as a guard and for show and smartness. Date: 1919

Town & Country Costumes
Urban elegance confronts rustic simplicity - a London couple in the height of fashion meet a country bumpkin and his girl whose smartness cannot match their chic

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A witty mix of old and new, this Comic Postcard from the past pokes fun at the notion of 'smartness' with a Dirty Collar, reminiscent of the classic Donald McGill humor. Fast forward to the early 1900s, where Le Pele-Mele's illustration for "La reciproque est vraie" adds a touch of European elegance to the concept. In contrast, Major Viscount Downe's colorful lithograph showcases a dapper gentleman's take on the subject. Meanwhile, our brave Woman Police Officers, from W.Gould's depictions in SE London and K.M. Boyd's uniformed portraits, prove that being smart is not just about appearance but also about action and determination. Their WW2-era counterpart further emphasizes this, as she stands guard, ready for duty. The 1930s Charnaux advertisement for women's beachwear adds a stylish twist to the idea, while the Dalmatian by Coach Wheel and Town & Country Costumes remind us that even our pets and fashion choices can reflect our smartness. So, whether it's a clever quip or a well-tailored suit, let's embrace the many facets of being smart.