Errand Collection

A horrible business - Butchers shop, 1851
Humourous scene from a butchers shop, 1851. Master Butcher: " Did you take old Major Dumbledores ribs to No. 12?" Boy: " Yes

Modernisation of the street jobs, the knife grinder in his car, illustration
XIR346516 Modernisation of the street jobs, the knife grinder in his car, illustration from Le Petit Journal, supplement illustre, 3rd September 1911 (colour litho) by French School

The Doctor's Boy: Errand boy on his way to deliver medicines on a winter's day
533864 The Doctor's Boy: Errand boy on his way to deliver medicines on a winter's day. Coatless and gloveless and nose red from cold

The Note, 17th century. Creator: Gabriel Metsu
The Note, 17th century

Errand of Mercy
This oil painting shows a cloaked figure in a hazy town setting, travelling on an errand of mercy, perhaps related to the distant figures further on. Date: circa 1918

"Pray what can I do for you Sir?" from Blackie's Children's Annual
IL100111 "Pray what can I do for you Sir?" from Blackie's Children's Annual, Nineteenth Year Book (book illustration) by Jackson

Going Shopping (w / c with scratching out on paper)
CH401649 Going Shopping (w/c with scratching out on paper) by Allingham, Helen (1848-1926); 16.5x10.9 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; English, out of copyright

An Arbitary Dog (oil on panel)
CH400955 An Arbitary Dog (oil on panel) by Ten Kate, Jan Mari Henri (1831-1910); Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; Dutch, out of copyright

Invitation to a Game of Argolla, by Murillo
Invitation to a Game of Argolla [a form of croquet], by Murillo, in the Dulwich Picture Gallery, London. Depicting two beggar boys and a dog. Date: circa 1660s

"The women of the village used to employ him to do such little odd jobs as their
3100391 " The women of the village used to employ him to do such little odd jobs as their less obliging husbands would not do for them.", from Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving, pub

The Christmas Errand (colour litho)
668649 The Christmas Errand (colour litho) by Solomon, Abraham (1824-62); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Christmas Errand)

On an Errand (engraving)
969632 On an Errand (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: On an Errand. Illustration for Italy from the Alps to Mount Etna (Chapman and Hall)

Homemakers Chatting After Returning from Shopping, 1954 (screen print)
2630048 Homemakers Chatting After Returning from Shopping, 1954 (screen print) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; Photo eGraphicaArtis; American, out of copyright

Circus Maximus, Rome. (engraving, 17th century)
5975546 Circus Maximus, Rome. (engraving, 17th century) by Italian School, (17th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Geography. Italy. The Circus Maximus, ancient racecourse in Rome)

A woman holding a tray beside a bed (colour litho)
960238 A woman holding a tray beside a bed (colour litho) by Brundage, Frances (1854-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: An errand of mercy)

The Bakery Shop, c. 1680 (oil on canvas)
3067689 The Bakery Shop, c.1680 (oil on canvas) by Berckheyde, Job (1630-93); Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College, Ohio, USA; eAllen Memorial Art Museum; Dutch, out of copyright

Old Cottage at Sutton Courtney, Berkshire (w / c with touches of white on paper)
CH402174 Old Cottage at Sutton Courtney, Berkshire (w/c with touches of white on paper) by Woodlock, David (1842-1929); 29.7x19.8 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; British

Errand Boy
London characters: when you go shopping, you dont have to carry your purchases home, the ERRAND BOY does that, like this butchers boy carrying your uncovered Sunday joint. Date: circa 1870

DELIVERY BOY C 1910
An errand boy in a snowball ambush. Date: circa 1910

Errand Girl - circa 1905
An errand girl Date: circa 1905

KINGS PARADE 1887
Cabs and carriages, an errand boy harassed by a dog and a mama with two daughters and a dog on the lead, pass along Kings Parade in late Victorian times Date: 1887

I, who now bid thee on this errand forth, am Beatrice, c1890. Creator: Gustave Doré
I, who now bid thee on this errand forth, am Beatrice, c1890. Dante and Beatrice. Illustration from " The Vision of Hell" (Inferno)

Taking advantage of the situation... Street Lad - " Do you want an Errand Boy?" Shopkeeper - " No." Street Lad - " Yus you do, yours as just been runned over." !!

Errand Boy & Snowballs
On his way to deliver a goose and a box of Huntley & Palmers Dessert biscuits, a delivery boy stops to have a snowball fight

Louis Wain, Daddy Cat - in the rain. circa 1910s

Girl / Mother / Snow / Errand
A little girl and her mother trudge through the snow on an errand of mercy. Date: 1906

Boys on Cycles
Two boys are cycling on a country road. One is on a conventional bicycle, while the other is an errand boy with a remarkable tricycle with a box for the bread Date: 1892

An errand of mercy
Winter scene. Mother and sone with a basket of food for the needy. Artist: Ethel Parkinson Date: 1905

Bellboy in silhouette
A bellboy in uniform carrying a small parcel, pictured in silhouette. Date: 1926

FOOLs ERRAND!, engraving 1880, us, usa

Taddeo Sent on an Errand by Calabreses Wife; Federico Zuccaro, Italian, about 1541 - 1609; about 1595; Pen and brown ink, brush with brown wash, over black chalk; 42 x 17.1 cm (16 9/16 x 6 3/4 in.)

The Doctors Boy: Errand boy on his way to deliver medicines on a winters day. Coatless and gloveless and nose red from cold

Two cyclists crash to the ground
The two cyclists (errand boys) swerve to miss the dog, and crash to the ground in the middle of the road. Date: 1937

Housemaid Flirting
The housemaid flirts with an errand boy

Errand Boy Praised 1881
" Well, my boy, you certainly do errands quicker than I should think possible" ; a grocer praises his errand boys work

Errand Girl Carries 1905
A young London errand girl wears a knee-length dress & wrap over coat with small collar, stockings & boots & a flat straw hat with a feather

Brighton / Kings Rd 1899
Cyclists of all ages and sexes pedal along Kings Road, Brighton, including an errand boy with his tricycle... the horse-riders look away with contempt

Social / London Policeman
Scene in a busy London street: a policeman wearing a white cape directs the traffic

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In the bustling streets of 1851, a butcher's shop stood as a symbol of a horrible business. The air was filled with the scent of raw meat and the sounds of cleavers against chopping blocks. But amidst this chaotic scene, there were whispers of change, hints at the modernization that would soon transform street jobs. One such transformation came in the form of a knife grinder in his car, an ingenious contraption that brought convenience to those in need. An illustration captured this innovative sight, showcasing how progress was slowly seeping into everyday life. Meanwhile, an errand of mercy unfolded on the pages of Blackie's Children's Annual. In its nineteenth year book, an illustration depicted a kind-hearted soul asking with genuine concern, "Pray what can I do for you Sir?" This simple act showcased compassion and highlighted how even small gestures could make a difference. The concept of running errands took various forms throughout history. From going shopping with scratched-out lists on paper to completing arbitrary tasks like tending to dogs or playing games like Argolla - people relied on others for assistance. In different eras and places, errands held different meanings. A colour lithograph titled "The Christmas Errand" portrayed festive cheer during holiday seasons while an engraving called "On an Errand" hinted at mysterious missions undertaken by unknown figures. Even homemakers found solace in chatting after returning from shopping trips as depicted in a vibrant screen print from 1954. It showed women bonding over their shared experiences while embracing their roles as providers for their families. And let us not forget ancient Rome where even grand spectacles like Circus Maximus required countless individuals running errands behind-the-scenes to ensure its success - captured forever in seventeenth-century engravings. Errands may have evolved over time but one thing remained constant: they were essential tasks woven into society's fabric.