Vital Collection

WW2 - Flower-Class Corvette in heavy seas - Atlantic Convoy
WW2 - Weather hazards which the convoy escorts in the Atlantic Ocean have to face in Winter - a Flower-Class Corvette, of 930 tonnes, being thrown high out of the water by a heavy sea. Date: 1943

Coal mining by G. H. Davis
Coal mine working and outcrop production: how coal, so vital to every form of war industry, can be won from opencast veins at shallow depths. Date: 1944

Vitruvian man with flare in chest
Vitruvian man with flare across his chest, conceptual computer artwork. Leonardo da Vincis famous anatomical sketch is shown here with a bright flare across his chest

Vitamin B12, molecular model. Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) is an essential nutrient that humans are unable to produce and need to obtain from their diet

Diagram of human lungs showing blood supply

Poster: Don t Help The Enemy! Careless talk may give away vital secrets. 1940s

LCC-LFB emergency dam unit and trailer pump, WW2
Emergency water supplies were vital to supplementing the available mains supply for fighting the vast swathe of fires that swept parts of London during the Blitz

Women working as porters, guards and inspectors on the London underground railway during World War One
3502770 Women working as porters, guards and inspectors on the London underground railway during World War One, from The Pageant of the Century, pub.1934; (add.info.: Women working as porters)

Women volunteers making hospital requisites for the St, John Ambulance Brigade Hospital during World War One
3502769 Women volunteers making hospital requisites for the St, John Ambulance Brigade Hospital during World War One, from The Pageant of the Century

Women taking over many men's jobs during World War One, from The Pageant of the Century, pub.1934
3502778 Women taking over many men's jobs during World War One, from The Pageant of the Century, pub.1934; (add.info.: Women took over many men's jobs during World War One)

Women taking over many men's jobs during World War One, from The Pageant of the Century, pub.1934
3502776 Women taking over many men's jobs during World War One, from The Pageant of the Century, pub.1934; (add.info.: Women took over many men's jobs during World War One)

Women taking over men's work during World War One, A chimney sweep, from The Pageant of the Century, pub.1934
3502772 Women taking over men's work during World War One, A chimney sweep, from The Pageant of the Century, pub.1934; (add.info.: Women taking over men's work during World War One)

A scene at Liverpool Street Station during World War One, from The Pageant of the Century, pub.1934
3502774 A scene at Liverpool Street Station during World War One, from The Pageant of the Century, pub.1934; (add.info.: A scene at Liverpool Street Station during World War One)

Soldiers during World War One sychronizing their watches with a clock mounted on a post in the camp
3502736 Soldiers during World War One sychronizing their watches with a clock mounted on a post in the camp, from The Pageant of the Century

Women volunteers making bandages and crutches during World War One, from The Pageant of the Century, pub.1934
3502767 Women volunteers making bandages and crutches during World War One, from The Pageant of the Century, pub.1934; (add.info.: Women volunteers making bandages and crutches during World War One)

WW2 recruitment poster, Thousands of women needed now in the ATS, WaF, vital to the offensive. Full information at the nearest recruiting centre or your employment exchange. Date: circa 1940

Wartime Railway Wagons
A photograph of a mass of wartime railway wagons, loaded with vital supplies. Date: circa 1944

Recruitment poster, Nursing is Vital War Work, WW2
Recruitment poster, Nursing is Vital War Work, Second World War Date: circa 1941

Moroccan Nationalist Troops on parade, Burgos; Spanish Civil
Photograph showing some of the Moroccan troops on parade in Burgos, during the Spanish Civil War, 1936. These troops, from General Franco's Army of Africa, were well-trained and well-equipped

Henri Bergson, 1925 (b / w photo)
1766089 Henri Bergson, 1925 (b/w photo) by Manuel, Henri (1874-1947); Private Collection; (add.info.: Henri Bergson (1859-1941)

Madonna and Child with St. Vitalis, St. Jerome and St. Francis
AII78320 Madonna and Child with St. Vitalis, St. Jerome and St. Francis by Procaccini, Camillo (c.1560-1629); Galleria e Museo Estense, Modena, Italy; Italian, out of copyright

Vital Statistics Ridden By Dane O Neil Newmarket Craven Meeting 2007 Rowley Mile Course, Newmarket, England 18 April 2007 Date: 18 April 2007

Showing the manner in which the operators stand round the table (engraving)
2793286 Showing the manner in which the operators stand round the table (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

WW2 era - Comic Postcard - In Convoy
The Caption is In Convoy. The convoy system for the merchant ships bringing in vital supples was introduced to counter the German U Boat attacks

Advertisement for Iron Jelloids, for children, men and women - the great tonic. Looks like it from the visible vitality of this 1920s family. Date: 1924

Entrance of Romero to Mexico 1865
Entrance of Matias Romero into Mexico, surrounded by soldiers, as people nearby watch. Romero was Benito Juraez Minister to the United States

Interior of the apse, 6th century (photo)
BEN83455 Interior of the apse, 6th century (photo) by Byzantine School, (6th century); San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy; Photo eRaffaello Bencini; out of copyright

Air routes, Vital links in the chain of modern Europes trade centres (litho)
6008251 Air routes, Vital links in the chain of modern Europes trade centres (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Air routes)

The Ulster Unionist Convention in Belfast, the Duke of Abercorn addressing the Meeting in the Convention Hall
1056309 The Ulster Unionist Convention in Belfast, the Duke of Abercorn addressing the Meeting in the Convention Hall, at the Opening of the Demonstration (engraving) by English School

St. Vitalis and Saints
FTB60618 St. Vitalis and Saints by Carpaccio, Vittore (c.1460/5-1523/6); San Vitale, Venice, Italy; Italian, out of copyright

Burnt Land at Sunset, 1915 (oil on board)
867720 Burnt Land at Sunset, 1915 (oil on board) by Thomson, Thomas John (1877-1917); 21.6x26.8 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; Canadian, out of copyright

Illustration for Le Rire (colour litho)
2804728 Illustration for Le Rire (colour litho) by Delaw, Georges (1874-1929); Private Collection; (add.info.: Illustration for Le Rire, 22 January 1898.); © Look and Learn

The Panama Canal, Pacific and Atlantic oceans kissing (colour litho)
3093269 The Panama Canal, Pacific and Atlantic oceans kissing (colour litho) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Panama Canal, Pacific and Atlantic oceans kissing)

MAGIC CATS OF CHINA
These magical spirit-cats perform the vital function of keeping away the rats which would otherwise devour the silkworms : the flowers also keep the worms healthy

WW2 - Home Front - Schoolchildren in Chelsea, London take part in a paper-salvage campaign, carrying a total of two tonnes of paper from their school in Glebe Place to the Kings Road

WW2 poster, Keep them both flying! Speed is vital! Date: circa 1942

Soldiers during World War One sychronising their watches with a clock mounted on a post in the camp. This was vital to obtain unanimity of movement and perfect co-operation before an attack

Women Took Over Many Mens Jobs During World War One, Thereby Leaving The Men Free To Fight. Seen Here The Women Are Putting A Coat Of Paint On Aerial Bombs

Silk postcard, HMS Olympic, giving the liner's measurements

Boeing Stearman N2S-2 at Corpus Christi, Texas in 1943 This and its US Army PT-13 equivalent were vital to US wartime pilot training

Map of Okinawa island by G. H. Davis
Okinawa island, the Key to Japan, whose capital, Naha, had just fallen towards the end of the Second World War. It was a vital base for the air war on Japan. Date: 1945

Brazil - Sao Paulo - Serpentarium of the Instituto Butantan, a Brazilian biomedical research centre affiliated to the Sao Paulo State Secretary of Health

The Battle in Susteren; Second World War, 1945
Sketch showing a battle between British infantry (in buildings on right) and German tanks (on left) in the town of Susteren, Holland, 1945

Relief of a Roman tombstone
Roman Art. Italy. Relief of a Roman tombstone. Church of St. Vital. Ravenna

WW2 poster, Care of instruments is vital. Your Jar is their Jam. Printed for Ministry of Aircraft Production. Date: 1943

Training Carrier Pigeons
A German soldier with a board on his back used to train carrier pigeons to carry vital military information and news. Date: 1930s

Astral bodies: the female life force
The elan vital (life-force) photographed as it emanates from a female hand. Date: early 20th century

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"Vital: Uncovering the Essence of Life's Crucial Elements" Coal mining by G. H. Davis: Delving into the depths to fuel progress and shape nations. Vitruvian man with a flare in his chest: Illuminating the boundless potential within us all. Vitamin B12, molecular model: Unlocking nature's secret for energy and vitality. Diagram of human lungs showing blood supply: The intricate network that breathes life into our existence. LCC-LFB emergency dam unit and trailer pump, WW2: Mobilizing vital resources to protect lives during times of crisis. Poster - "Don't Help The Enemy": A reminder that every action counts in safeguarding our collective well-being. Wartime Railway Wagons: Keeping essential supplies on track amidst chaos and conflict. Recruitment poster - "Nursing is Vital War Work, WW2": Heroes on the frontlines, healing wounds both seen and unseen. Moroccan Nationalist Troops on parade, Burgos; Spanish Civil War: Courageous warriors fighting for their nation's vital freedom. WW2 - Flower-Class Corvette in heavy seas - Atlantic Convoy: Navigating treacherous waters to ensure crucial supplies reach their destination safely. WW2 poster - "Keep them both flying": Rallying support to sustain airborne defenders who keep our skies secure. The Boeing Stearman N2S-2 at Corpus Christi, Texas in 1943: Training pilots who would become vital guardians of freedom above the clouds. In this collection of captivating images from various eras and contexts, we witness different facets of what it means to be vital – whether it be extracting coal from deep underground or harnessing vitamins for optimal health. We explore how wartime efforts relied on critical infrastructure like emergency dam units and railway wagons while also recognizing the vital role played by nurses and soldiers in safeguarding our well-being.