Costers Collection

Dolly Parton seen here at Covent Garden to perform with Pearly Kings and Queens. March 1983 P019037 Planman - - 29/07/2009

Baby Kim O Shea 2 months old, one of a long line of Pearly Kings and Queens was christened at St Martins in the field this afternoon by the Rev. Austen Williams

Pearly King George Major. April 1975 75-2253-001

Coster with Dogs (oil on canvas)
5889180 Coster with Dogs (oil on canvas) by Green, Madeline Emily (1884-1947); 50.8x53.3 cm; Private Collection; Photo © The Ms Gallery, London

Self-Portrait as a Costermonger (oil on canvas)
5889181 Self-Portrait as a Costermonger (oil on canvas) by Green, Madeline Emily (1884-1947); 40.6x33 cm; Private Collection; Photo © The Ms Gallery, London

London costermongers (b / w photo)
3637328 London costermongers (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: London costermongers)

Pearly King - or Pearly Prince? Little boy in fancy dress
A little boy posing for his photograph in a Pearly King costume. Date: 1920s

An open-air bookmarket, Shoreditch (sepia photo)
STC347602 An open-air bookmarket, Shoreditch (sepia photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

Costermongers donkey barrow (b / w photo)
3637327 Costermongers donkey barrow (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Costermongers donkey barrow)

Costermongers in high spirits (b / w photo)
3637326 Costermongers in high spirits (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Costermongers in high spirits)

Footballer Bobby Moore and his family dressed as Pearly kings and queens April 1975

Covent Garden Flower Show 12th June 1951 Pearly Kings and Queens seen here arriving at the Covent Garden Flower Show

Covent Garden Flower Show 12th June 1951 Herbert Morrison MP seen here meeting the children of the Pearly Kings and Queens at the opening of the Covent Garden Flower Show

Pearly Kings and Queens celebrate Covent Gardens 300th Birthday, London, 9th May 1970

Pearly Kings and Queens arrive at St Marts Church Walworth with offerings for the " Pearlies" Harvest Festival. From all over London they went in their " State" horse drawn

Pearly Kings and Queens seen here marching in the 1985 Battersea Easter Parade. 7th April 1985

Kim O shea, the two month old daughter of Pearly Princess Jean and Mr John O Shea, surrounded by a group of pearly kings and queens in traditional costume at her christening in St Martin In The

Kim O shea, the two month old daughter of Pearly Princess Jean and Mr John O Shea, surrounded by a group of pearly kings and queens in traditional costume at her christening in St Martin In The

Pearly Kings and Queens seen here marching in the 1985 Battersea Easter Parade. 7th April 1985

Pearly Kings and Queens celebrate Covent Gardens 300th Birthday May 1970

Younger members of the Pearly Kings and Queens seen here at a gathering of the families in the East End of London. April 1975 75-2253-002

Pearly King George Major. April 1975 75-2253-003

Pearly King George Major. April 1975 75-2253

Albert Chevalier - English Comedian and Actor
Albert Onesime Britannicus Gwathveoyd Louis Chevalier (18611923) - English comedian and actor. Had a successful music hall career as a singer of coster songs of his own invention. Date: 1892

The annual Easter Sunday Parade - at Battersea Park, London. A crowd including Pearly Kings and Queens doing the " Knees up Mother Brown " before the parade

Cockney Argument between a fat man and a thin man
Fat Party (after a War of words) - " If you come our court to-morrer and bring a bit o fat with yer, I ll bloomin well eat yer." !! Date: 1895

Victorian Scrap -- Coster. late 19th century

London street scene - The Coster Girl
A series of postcards showing women (in various jobs) in London - The Coster Girl.. Romanian-born sculptor and illustrator Alexander Popini served in the Royal Air Force during World War I

Costers Market - vegetable barrow f/g people and building b/g. Part of Box 34 Boswell Collection - London Streets. Date: circa 1890s

Pieman and Costers
A coster boy and girl toss a coin for a pie Date: circa 1862

The Crab Tree Club, opened in Greek Street, London in 1914 and frequented by artists and bohemians, many who dressed in clothes imitating street costers of the period, known as the Slade Coster Gang

Dressed Costers
circa 1900: Costers dressed up in Kensal Rise, London. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Ironic Conversation between two Cockney men in an East London Boozer. " Who was t bloke I see yer speakin to larst night?" " Wot sort o bloke

Cockney Comment on the purchase of a parrot
Two Pals outside a pub looking at a third bargaining for a parrot with a sailor outside a pub. " Why, es Missus jaws enough. Wot ds e want with a bloomin parrot." !! Date: 1895

A couple of Cockney Loafers. Date: circa 1890s

A Cockney lady from Whitechapel, East London
A lovely drawing of a Cockney lady from Whitechapel, East London. Date: 1895

Sailor Jack - popular with all the Cockney Women
They All Love Jack. A popular sailor, obviously a bit of a wow with the ladies, of which he likely has one in every port... Date: 1895

Funny Cockney comment on a ladies neckwear
Funny Cockney comment on a fellow Cockney ladies neckwear. " Ow Is y, look at er frills. Got erself hup like a bloomin am bone!" Date: 1900

Smug Cockney woman who has nabbed her rivals Gent
Jilted! A smug Cockney woman who has nabbed her rivals Gent, throws her a very satisfied glance! Date: circa 1890s

Two Cockney Costers - one restraining a bulldog
Two young Cockney chaps, one of whom is having to restrain his Bulldog, who is obviously rather interested in something he has sniffed or spotted! Date: circa 1890s

Two Cockney street Flowergirls
Two Cockney Flowergirls, not in their first bloom of youth - entitled (somewhat wickedly) " Sweet Violets" ! - caricature by Phil May. Date: 1897

Two Cockneys discuss the pedigree of a dog
Two Cockneys discuss the (er..) pedigree of a dog! " Say, Bill, wots is pedigree?" Bill: " Why es by a porter out o a third class railway kerridge." !! Date: 1895

Arriet - a good Cockney Girl in all of her finery. Date: circa 1890s

Cockney Couple on Hampstead Heath reading a magazine
" The Upper Ten" - being read by a Cockney Couple (and their bulldog) under a tree on Hampstead Heath. A few bottles of ale have been consumed. Date: 1901

Cockney couple off a day out at Margate
Cockney couple in their finery - all ready to depart for a day out in Margate. Date: 1900

Cockney Humour - temptation
Salvation Army Captain: " When the Serpent tempted Eve" Bill: " Oh Chuck it! There wanted no bloomin snake

Two laughing young Cockney scamps Date: 1890s

Cockneys visiting a Royal Navy Gunboat
An Honest London Taxpayer wanting full value for his contributions! Visiting Day on a Gunboat. Arry: " Is the Captain in?" Jack: " Yes, hes aboard

Cockney London Flowergirl sells buttonhole to city gent
A Cockney London Flowergirl sells a buttonhole bouquet to a well-to-do city gentleman. Date: 1895

Two Cockney Costers having a jovial chat: " Wots th row up the Court, Bill?" " Bob Smith was kissing my Missus, and is Old Woman caught im!" Date: 1892

Two Cockney ladies admiring an artist
Two Cockney ladies admiring (?) an artist and is bloomin at ! Date: 1895

Happy Hampstead - Coster Saleswoman at Hampstead Fair, who also seems quite open to offers for her noisy offspring! Date: 1899

Cockney ladies discuss their romantic life
Two Cockney ladies discuss their romantic life - cartoon by Phil May. There appears to have been a muddle up between the word clandestine and the word incandescent

Cockney Coster Woman - caricature by Phil May
" Shes just about the neatest, sweetest and prettiest Donah in the whole wide world" - lyrics to a Coster song by Albert Chevalier - caricature by Phil May Date: 1892

Coster Cockney couple embracing on a park bench on Hampstead Heath. Date: 1890s

Cockney lovers - marriage proposal on the grass - " How do you fancy having awkins as your other name?!". Lyrics fom a coster song by Albert Chevalier. Date: 1898

Costers and Cockneys. Having a straight conversation! Date: 1895

Corn Exchange Delft C17
A view of the Koornbeurs or corn exchange - a place of great activity with merchants and tradespeople selling their wares from barrows. Oude church & docks can be seen

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"Captivating Costers: Unveiling the Vibrant World of London's Street Characters" Dolly Parton seen here at Covent Garden to perform with Pearly Kings and Queens: A star-studded rendezvous celebrating the rich heritage in a dazzling display of talent. Baby Kim O'Shea, 2 months old, one of a long line of Pearly Kings: The youngest member in an illustrious lineage proudly upholding the traditions and values passed down through generations. Pearly King George Major, April 1975: A regal figure adorned in shimmering pearls, embodying the spirit and resilience that defines costermongers' way of life. Coster with Dogs (oil on canvas): An artistic masterpiece capturing the bond between man and his loyal companions amidst the bustling streets where their stories intertwine. Self-Portrait as a Costermonger (oil on canvas): An artist's introspective depiction showcasing both pride and struggle within this vibrant community that thrives against all odds. London costermongers (b/w photo): A timeless snapshot frozen in monochrome hues, encapsulating their tireless work ethic and camaraderie amidst urban landscapes. Pearly King - or Pearly Prince? Little boy in fancy dress: Witnessing dreams take flight as young hearts embrace their role models while envisioning themselves as future custodians of tradition. An open-air book market, Shoreditch (sepia photo): Amidst literary treasures laid bare under open skies, costermongers add charm to this cultural haven where knowledge meets street wisdom. Costermongers donkey barrow (b/w photo): Symbolizing humble beginnings rooted in hard labor, these iconic carts carry not just produce but also tales echoing through time itself. Costermongers in high spirits (b/w photo).