Polite Collection

Playing Table Tennis - Edwardian - Etiquette
I am not sure whether it is my turn. (to write the postcard or to serve!!) A smart Gentleman makes a courteous enquiry to his glamorous young female table tennis companion. Date: circa 1904

Tennis Chivalry 1930S
A chivalrous gentleman tennis player bows as he shakes the hand of his attractive female opponent over the net!

The Ten Scout Laws, 1923 (colour litho)
473030 The Ten Scout Laws, 1923 (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: 1. A Scouts honour is to be trusted. 2)

A Meeting By A Stile (oil on canvas)
615810 A Meeting By A Stile (oil on canvas) by Hardy, Heywood (1842-1933); Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; English, out of copyright

Victorian Scrap, Queen Elizabeth I and Raleigh
Victorian Scrap, Queen Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh. circa 1880s

GENTLEMAN OF THE ROAD
A gentleman of the road, a polite name for an old tramp

Cosimo I de Medici (Cosimo I de Medici, 1519-1574) appointed Duke by the Senate of Florence
BEN5476959 Cosimo I de Medici (Cosimo I de Medici, 1519-1574) appointed Duke by the Senate of Florence. Painting by Jacopo Ligozzi (1547-1632). 16th century Italian mannerism

Young lady curtsying on a street, 18th century. Copperplate engraving from The Polite Academy, or Instructions for a Genteel Behaviour and Polite Address in Masters and Misses, R

Young gentleman dancing the minuet in a ballroom with columns, 18th century. Copperplate engraving from The Polite Academy

Actress Anita Ekberg has her dress zipped up by her husband Anthony Steel October 1956

Louis XVI received by the new Mayor of Paris, July 17 1789, (19th / early 20th century). Artist: Jean-Paul Laurens
Louis XVI is received by the new Mayor of Paris, Jean Sylvain Bailly, July 17 1789 (19th/early 20th century). One of the instigators of the Oath of the Tennis Court

Alice in Wonderland, Mad Hatters Tea Party
Alice in Wonderland, Alice having tea with the Mad Hatter, the Dormouse and the March Hare. Date: early 20th century

Georgian cartoon, conversation at a turnstile - Will you allow us to get by you, Sir? Date: circa 1820s

Wearing gas masks
Cartoon demonstrating how the social graces can still flourish, even when gas-masked. Date: 1939

CHIMPS TEA PARTY - 1
Regent's Park zoo, London Polite behaviour at the chimpanzees afternoon tea party, always a popular occasion with visitors. Date: early 20th century

A Tea Party, c. 1720 (oil on canvas)
MAN277400 A Tea Party, c.1720 (oil on canvas) by Aken, Joseph van (c.1700-49); 37.4x45.7 cm; Manchester Art Gallery, UK; © Manchester Art Gallery

Still life, 1918 (oil on canvas)
5043069 Still life, 1918 (oil on canvas) by Mooney, Edward Hartley (c.1878-1938); 51x61 cm; Manchester Art Gallery, UK; (add.info.: Domestic still life composition arranged on a white table top)

The Battle of Fontenoy (1745): Joseph d'Anterrocks: "Gentlemen of the English, shoot first"
7304541 The Battle of Fontenoy (1745): Joseph d'Anterrocks: "Gentlemen of the English, shoot first", 1896 (illustration) by Job, pseudonym for Onfray de Breville

Lady of the nobility in the 18th century, in a chair with porters receiving the kiss hand, 1895 (Illustration)
7304347 Lady of the nobility in the 18th century, in a chair with porters receiving the kiss hand, 1895 (Illustration) by Job, pseudonym for Onfray de Breville

Sunday outing on horseback, courtly society, picnic, 1888, Germany
7278845 Sunday outing on horseback, courtly society, picnic, 1888, Germany by Unknown Artist, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sunday outing on horseback, courtly society, picnic)

Two little girls playing with their dolls (colour litho)
7185227 Two little girls playing with their dolls (colour litho) by Appleton, Honor Charlotte (1879-1951); Private Collection; (add.info.: Two little girls playing with their dolls)

Trondheim, 1825 (w / c on paper)
OVR394355 Trondheim, 1825 (w/c on paper) by Flintoe, Johannes (1787-1870); 64x94 cm; Private Collection; Photo © O. Vaering

One Hundred Proverbs: Behind the Cross Often Stands the Devil, 1845 (engraving)
7211797 One Hundred Proverbs: Behind the Cross Often Stands the Devil, 1845 (engraving) by Grandville (Jean Ignace Isidore Gerard) (1803-47); (add.info.: One hundred proverbs)

Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Flagorneuse; Toad-eater; Speichelleckerin (engraving)
7196011 Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Flagorneuse; Toad-eater; Speichelleckerin (engraving) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Flagorneuse; Toad-eater; Speichelleckerin)

N is for nobleman (colour litho)
7149214 N is for nobleman (colour litho) by Dalziel Brothers (1815-1905) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: N is for nobleman)

Courteousness (Rei), from the series "Five Cardinal Virtues", 1767
Courteousness (Rei), from the series " Five Cardinal Virtues", 1767

H: Honor to old age
6523560 H: Honor to old age. by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: in " Moral Alphabet in Action. In Paris at all novelty merchants)

An Apple, Please (oil on canvas)
1769871 An Apple, Please (oil on canvas) by Novo, Stefano (1862-1927); 108.6x160.7 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: An Apple, Please; Un Mela, per favore)

A Conversation, (pen and ink and watercolour on paper)
989530 A Conversation, (pen and ink and watercolour on paper) by Guys, Constantin (1802-92); 25.1x19.7 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: A Conversation. Constantin Guys (1802-1892)

The Meeting Between Kings Philip IV and Louis XIV on Pheasant Island (oil on copper)
1126592 The Meeting Between Kings Philip IV and Louis XIV on Pheasant Island (oil on copper) by Meulen, Adam Frans van der (1632-90)

A gentleman courting a lady music making in a courtyard, 1668 (oil on canvas)
487074 A gentleman courting a lady music making in a courtyard, 1668 (oil on canvas) by Fourmentrou, Jacob de (fl.1668); 38.1x28 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; Belgian

After-Dinner Coffee (recto), c. 1889 (graphite on paper)
3700708 After-Dinner Coffee (recto), c.1889 (graphite on paper) by Cassatt, Mary Stevenson (1844-1926); 20x14 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH, USA; Bequest of Muriel Butkin; American, out of copyright

Then old Fezziwig stood out to dance with Mrs. Fezziwig, 1915 (colour litho)
465493 Then old Fezziwig stood out to dance with Mrs. Fezziwig, 1915 (colour litho) by Rackham, Arthur (1867-1939); 15x11 cm; Free Library of Philadelphia; (add.info)

Customary greeting in Persia, 1907 (colour litho)
473018 Customary greeting in Persia, 1907 (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Customary Greeting in Norway, 1907 (colour litho)
473009 Customary Greeting in Norway, 1907 (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Customary Greeting in Abyssinia, 1907 (colour litho)
473004 Customary Greeting in Abyssinia, 1907 (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Reception of the hostages from Tipu Sahib, Sultan of Mysore, by Lord Cornwallis, March 1792. Tipus two sons, aged about ten and eight

Comic postcard, Woman and council official Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Wedding usher and brides mother Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Woman hanging off a cliff Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Polite table manners Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Woman climbing over stile, with bull in field Date: circa 1918

Figures promenading in a wooded park, c. 1930 (oil on glass)
2651967 Figures promenading in a wooded park, c.1930 (oil on glass) by Whistler, Rex (1905-44) (attr.to); 69x53 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Also signed J.P.S)

WW2 - Comic Postcard - Table turned on the diner - " See that you re polite to our Waitresses - we can get plenty of customers." 1945

Man and woman seated outside on folding chairs with woman holding a parasol, Narragansett
MNY380925 Man and woman seated outside on folding chairs with woman holding a parasol, Narragansett, Rhode Island, 1891 (silver gelatin print) by Byron Company (fl.1890-1942)

Gentleman with cane and top hat interrupting a lady at her toilette. Hello, how nice to see you! (You beast!) Handcoloured lithograph by the Gihaut brothers after an illustration by Jean Gabriel

Young lady walking in a panelled room, 18th century. Copperplate engraving from The Polite Academy, or Instructions for a Genteel Behaviour and Polite Address in Masters and Misses, R

Young lady giving or receiving a fan in a park, 18th century. Copperplate engraving from The Polite Academy, or Instructions for a Genteel Behaviour and Polite Address in Masters and Misses, R

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"Polite: A Journey Through Time and Etiquette" Step into a world of refined manners and courteous gestures as we explore the concept of politeness throughout history. From playing table tennis in the Edwardian era to witnessing tennis chivalry in the 1930s, these images remind us of a time when courtesy was paramount. Intricate lithographs depicting "The Ten Scout Laws" from 1923 transport us back to an era where respect for others was ingrained in society. Meanwhile, a Victorian scrap captures Queen Elizabeth I engaging in polite conversation with Raleigh, showcasing the importance placed on social graces even among royalty. Delve into the life of a "Gentleman of the Road, " where honor and civility were upheld despite unconventional circumstances. Franz Schubert's elegant compositions serve as a reminder that even through music, one can convey politeness and sophistication. Join Alice at her whimsical Mad Hatter's Tea Party, where eccentricity meets etiquette. This iconic scene from Alice in Wonderland reminds us that even amidst chaos, good manners prevail. A Georgian cartoon portrays a lively conversation at a turnstile, highlighting how polite discourse has always been valued across different eras. And who could forget those haunting images of individuals wearing gas masks during times of war? Even under such dire circumstances, people maintained their composure and treated each other with respect. Amidst all this historical elegance lies an unexpected twist - chimpanzees enjoying their own tea party. These charming creatures prove that politeness transcends species boundaries. Finally, immerse yourself in an opulent tea party setting from c. 1720 captured on canvas. The intricate details showcase how hosting guests with grace and charm has long been cherished throughout history. From information cards at Hotel de Normandie to various artistic representations spanning centuries – these glimpses into our past remind us that being polite is not just about following rules; it is a timeless virtue that connects us all.