Secretaries Collection

LEGGY SECRETARY 1920 S
A leggy secretary sits by her typewriter and takes a letter, revealing her suspender in the process

1960s, USA, Hermes Typewriters, Magazine Advert

Lincoln & his secretaries, Nicolay & Hay

Boss and Secretary 1928
A secretary stands beside her boss, seated at a desk whose size indicates his importance

Ernest Bevin, Minister of Labour, accompanied by his wife, Florence Anne Townley, talking with one of the operators at the Ministry of Labours wartime headquarters in the North West

Maureen O Neill poses as a secretary. 1962

Photographs of housemaids and secretaries workwear
Photographs of new housemaids and secretaries workwear, women working in trousers. Captioned, Mind work? not in these-!: Flannelled housemaids and secretaries: an idea from the States'. Date: 1911

Red Cross records room
Workers in the Red Cross records room. Date: 1940

Classroom, Washington School for Secretaries, Washington DC, 1920 (b/w photo)
3964302 Classroom, Washington School for Secretaries, Washington DC, 1920 (b/w photo) by Harris & Ewing (1905-45); Private Collection

Couple embracing in an office (colour photo)
3094531 Couple embracing in an office (colour photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Couple embracing in an office)

Man flirting with his secretary (colour litho)
3094675 Man flirting with his secretary (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Man flirting with his secretary)

How Would You Like A New Job (colour photo)
3094510 How Would You Like A New Job (colour photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: How Would You Like A New Job)

The Constitutional Crisis in Norway, View of the Court at Christiania in which the Norwegian Ministry is being
1044528 The Constitutional Crisis in Norway, View of the Court at Christiania in which the Norwegian Ministry is being impeached (engraving) by English School

The Eastern Question, the Conference at the Admiralty, Constantinople (engraving)
1106448 The Eastern Question, the Conference at the Admiralty, Constantinople (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Eastern Question)

Women typing in an office of the Mantle Co. of America, New York
MNY380836 Women typing in an office of the Mantle Co. of America, New York, 1915 or 1916 rsilver gelatin print) by Byron Company (fl.1890-1942); 27.9x35.6 cm; Museum of the City of New York

Men and women in an open office at Parke, Davis & Co. chemists, Hudson & Vestry Streets
MNY381153 Men and women in an open office at Parke, Davis & Co. chemists, Hudson & Vestry Streets, New York, 1910 (silver gelatin print) by Byron Company (fl.1890-1942)

The Imperial Institute at South Kensington (b / w photo)
1604278 The Imperial Institute at South Kensington (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Imperial Institute at South Kensington)

Middlesex Golf Club Secretaries by H. H. Harris
Secretaries of various golf clubs in the Middlesex area in 1932, caricatured by H. H. Harris. Those featured are Major E. A. Proute of Northwick, Captain W

Madonna of the Treasurers, 1567 (oil on canvas)
5058797 Madonna of the Treasurers, 1567 (oil on canvas) by Tintoretto, Jacopo Robusti (1518-94); 221x520 cm; Gallerie dell Accademia, Venice

Portrait of James Forrest (b / w photo)
819527 Portrait of James Forrest (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: James Forrest, secretary to the Institution of Civil Engineers, 1860 to 1896)

Busy Boss on the Phone at His Desk, 1954 (screen print)
2630045 Busy Boss on the Phone at His Desk, 1954 (screen print) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; Photo eGraphicaArtis; American, out of copyright

The Royal Naval Exhibitions (engraving)
1603139 The Royal Naval Exhibitions (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Royal Naval Exhibitions)

The French House of Commons, a Session of the Chamber of Deputies in the Palais Bourbon (engraving)
1051977 The French House of Commons, a Session of the Chamber of Deputies in the Palais Bourbon (engraving) by Renouard, Charles Paul (1845-1924) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Imperial Coronation at Moscow, Proclamation by the Heralds and Secretaries of the Senate (engraving)
1624484 The Imperial Coronation at Moscow, Proclamation by the Heralds and Secretaries of the Senate (engraving) by Woodville

Royal Humane Society (engraving)
583108 Royal Humane Society (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Royal Humane Society Patron the Kings most Excellent Majesty, certificate)

Men and women working in the stenographers department of R. Martens & Co. Inc
MNY380840 Men and women working in the stenographers department of R. Martens & Co. Inc. New York, 1916 or 1917 (silver gelatin print) by Byron Company (fl.1890-1942)

A man and women working in the credit office of the Mantle Lamp Co
MNY380837 A man and women working in the credit office of the Mantle Lamp Co. of America, New York, 1915-16 (silver gelatin print) by Byron Company (fl.1890-1942)

Interior view of women at dictating machines at the New York Edison Co
MNY380982 Interior view of women at dictating machines at the New York Edison Co. at 55 Duane Street, New York, 1905 (silver gelatin print) by Byron Company (fl.1890-1942)

Happy 1940s Workers in a Busy Office, 1946 (screen print)
2630029 Happy 1940s Workers in a Busy Office, 1946 (screen print) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; Photo eGraphicaArtis; American, out of copyright

Typists working, Italy, 1938 (glass plate)
494309 Typists working, Italy, 1938 (glass plate) by Bruni, Armando (fl.1930); Alinari; Bruni Archive / Alinari Archives Management, Florence

A Meeting of the Conference on the Eastern Question at the Admiralty Palace (Ters-Haneh) Constantinople (engraving)
1059704 A Meeting of the Conference on the Eastern Question at the Admiralty Palace (Ters-Haneh) Constantinople (engraving) by English School

The Accession of the King of Spain, Alfonso XIII taking the Oath before the Cortes at Madrid, 17 May (litho)
1629876 The Accession of the King of Spain, Alfonso XIII taking the Oath before the Cortes at Madrid, 17 May (litho) by Amato, G.S

A sitting of the Behring Sea Arbitration Court at the Foreign Office in Paris (litho)
1038782 A sitting of the Behring Sea Arbitration Court at the Foreign Office in Paris (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

A Persian Derby at Teheran, the Winner of the First Race falling Dead in front of the Shahs Tent (engraving)
1056243 A Persian Derby at Teheran, the Winner of the First Race falling Dead in front of the Shahs Tent (engraving) by English School

Secretary in love (colour litho)
3096431 Secretary in love (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Secretary in love. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

The typewriter girl (colour litho)
3096344 The typewriter girl (colour litho) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The typewriter girl. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Typewriting department, National Cash Register, Dayton, Ohio, 1902 (b / w photo)
867605 Typewriting department, National Cash Register, Dayton, Ohio, 1902 (b/w photo) by Jackson, William Henry (1843-1942); Private Collection; American, out of copyright

Men working in an office at Maillards Chocolate Manufacturers on 116-118 West 25th
MNY380830 Men working in an office at Maillards Chocolate Manufacturers on 116-118 West 25th Street, New York, 1902 (silver gelatin print) by Byron Company (fl.1890-1942)

Men and women working at desks in an office at McCalls Magazine, New York
MNY380822 Men and women working at desks in an office at McCalls Magazine, New York, 1913 (silver gelatin print) by Byron Company (fl.1890-1942); 27.9x35.6 cm; Museum of the City of New York

The British Legation at Peking, now destroyed by Chinese guns (b / w photo)
6003685 The British Legation at Peking, now destroyed by Chinese guns (b/w photo) by European Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The British Legation at Peking)

G. Blackall-Simonds (First Master), with Gerald Horsley and Mervyn Macartney
AWG146013 G. Blackall-Simonds (First Master), with Gerald Horsley and Mervyn Macartney, Presiding over the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Art Workers Guild at Cliffords Inn Hall, Fleet Street

King and Hutchings accountants office, Mr Gadsby seen here with his secretary. 1st October 1958

King and Hutchings office and switchboard. 1st October 1958

Office Secretary, Studio Pix, 27th January 1978

BOAC overseas secretaries visit London. 16th November 1960

Woman typist working in the sun beside a swimming pool filled with children having fun splashing the water around August 1947

Female office workers 1946

Love at the office - secretary typist office worker making romantic overtures to her boss. 1956

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"Unveiling the Legacy of Secretaries: From Leggy Icons to Unsung Heroes" Step back in time to the 1920s, where leggy secretaries with their impeccable style and grace captivated the world. These trailblazing women, epitomized by a mesmerizing image of a LEGGY SECRETARY from that era, broke barriers and redefined professionalism. Fast forward to the swinging 1960s in the USA, where Hermes Typewriters ruled supreme as indispensable tools for secretarial prowess. A vibrant magazine advert showcasing these sleek machines reminds us of an era when they were at the forefront of technological advancements. Delving into history's archives reveals intriguing tales like that of Lincoln and his trusted secretaries Nicolay & Hay. Their unwavering dedication helped shape one of America's greatest leaders' legacy. The year is 1928; enter a captivating photograph capturing a BOSS AND SECRETARY duo exuding sophistication amidst an ever-evolving corporate landscape. Their partnership symbolizes trust and efficiency during this transformative period. Beyond glamorous images lie photographs depicting housemaids and secretaries adorned in workwear that showcases their resilience and adaptability across different eras. These unsung heroes played pivotal roles behind closed doors, ensuring smooth operations within households or organizations like Red Cross records room. Even prominent figures such as Ernest Bevin, Minister of Labour, sought solace in their secretary's support. Accompanied by his wife Florence Anne Townley, he recognized her invaluable contributions both professionally and personally. Intriguingly captured in 1962 is Maureen O'Neill posing as a secretary – an embodiment of confidence breaking gender stereotypes prevalent at that time. Her portrayal challenges societal norms while highlighting how far we've come on our journey towards equality. Journeying back to Washington DC circa 1920 brings us inside a classroom at Washington School for Secretaries - a snapshot revealing young minds honing their skills to become the backbone of countless organizations.