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Shopkeepers Collection

In the bustling streets of Hong Kong in the 1890s, they were the heart and soul of the vibrant cityscape

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Hong Kong street scene, 1890s C016 / 4499

Hong Kong street scene, 1890s C016 / 4499
Hong Kong street scene. Pedestrians, carts, rickshaws and signs in both Chinese script and English on a hill street in Hong Kong in the 1890s. At the time, this area was a British colony

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Butcher's shop, Mayfair, London (b/w photo)

Butcher's shop, Mayfair, London (b/w photo)
8676253 Butcher's shop, Mayfair, London (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Butcher's shop, Mayfair, London)

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: The Yellow Book advertisement 1894 (print)

The Yellow Book advertisement 1894 (print)
6266144 The Yellow Book advertisement 1894 (print); (add.info.: An advertisement for volume I of The Yellow Book, which was published on April 15, 1894)

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: The Last Price, 1895 (oil on canvas)

The Last Price, 1895 (oil on canvas)
XOS5865286 The Last Price, 1895 (oil on canvas) by Arter, John Charles (1860-1923); 79x56 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH, USA; (add.info.: By John Charles Arter).

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Mr Wiseman, The Shopkeeper (colour litho)

Mr Wiseman, The Shopkeeper (colour litho)
8628199 Mr Wiseman, The Shopkeeper (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mr Wiseman, The Shopkeeper. He sells Andrews to you)

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: German shop, 1520 (woodcut)

German shop, 1520 (woodcut)
8664081 German shop, 1520 (woodcut) by Schaufelein, Hans Leonard (c.1480-c.1539) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: German shop, 1520)

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Woman selecting items from the local shop, 1850

Woman selecting items from the local shop, 1850
3478458 Woman selecting items from the local shop, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration of woman selecting items from the local shop for her employers. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Chinese shop (b/w photo)

Chinese shop (b/w photo)
8635282 Chinese shop (b/w photo) by French Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Chinese shop. Illustration from Images du Monde - Aventures de Deux Enfants)

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Keeping shop (colour litho)

Keeping shop (colour litho)
8652453 Keeping shop (colour litho) by Appleton, Honor Charlotte (1879-1951); Private Collection; (add.info.: Keeping shop)

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Children in a toy shop (colour litho)

Children in a toy shop (colour litho)
8635605 Children in a toy shop (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Children in a toy shop. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn.

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: F. Squibbs Serpentine Bazaar, The Lizard, Landewednack, Cornwall. Early 1900s

F. Squibbs Serpentine Bazaar, The Lizard, Landewednack, Cornwall. Early 1900s
F. Squibbs Serpentine Bazaar, showing a man, perhaps the owner, with two young women in uniforms, perhaps shop assistants

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Serpentine workshops, The Lizard, Landewednack, Cornwall. Early 1900s

Serpentine workshops, The Lizard, Landewednack, Cornwall. Early 1900s
Small serpentine workshops in The Lizard: G. Goodman, The Lizard Serpentine Works; Francis Jose (Joseph?) Guide, Serpentine Works; E. Matthews & Sons, Serpentine workers, boats hire

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Crossroad of the Tison and Jean Bailleul street, 1831(w/c)

Crossroad of the Tison and Jean Bailleul street, 1831(w/c)
902372 Crossroad of the Tison and Jean Bailleul street, 1831(w/c) by Boys, Thomas Shotter (1803-74); 25.9x35.3 cm; Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet, Paris

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Cartoon, Business as Usual, by Rodo Pissarro, WW1

Cartoon, Business as Usual, by Rodo Pissarro, WW1
Cartoon, Business as Usual during the alterations of the Map of Europe, watercolour by Rodo Pissarro, First World War. Showing a London greengrocer standing defiantly outside his shop. circa 1915

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Shopping street in Salcombe, Devon

Shopping street in Salcombe, Devon Date: circa 1900

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Map of Asia, early 19th century

Map of Asia, early 19th century. Showing Asia Minor, Arabia, Persia, Siberia, Tartary, Thibet, Hindoostan, Further India, China, Formosa, Japan. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from Rev

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: King George IVs royal parade through Dublin, 1821

King George IVs royal parade through Dublin, 1821
King George IV of England riding a carriage in a royal parade through Dublin, 1821. Accompanied by Irish gentlemen, lancers, soldiers, bishops and aldermen. Going to the Levee

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Historical views of China

Historical views of China
6337952 Historical views of China by English School, (18th century); (add.info.: Historical views of China. View of the Great Wall of China 25)

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Japanese Shopkeepers with an Abacus, c. 1870s (b / w photo)

Japanese Shopkeepers with an Abacus, c. 1870s (b / w photo)
701548 Japanese Shopkeepers with an Abacus, c.1870s (b/w photo) by Japanese Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; Japanese, out of copyright

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Royal encampment, era of King Henry VIII

Royal encampment, era of King Henry VIII, showing the royal quarters, market-place, huts of shopkeepers, butchers, etc. Copperplate engraving after the Cotton Collection, Augustus II

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Old Chapel Street, Luton (b / w photo)

Old Chapel Street, Luton (b / w photo)
3096737 Old Chapel Street, Luton (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Old Chapel Street, Luton)

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: RACE RIOTS / SAN FRANCISCO

RACE RIOTS / SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco race riots: attacks on Asian shopkeepers Date: 1908

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Lower Hudson Street, N. Y. C. 1865 (gelatin silver print)

Lower Hudson Street, N. Y. C. 1865 (gelatin silver print)
742335 Lower Hudson Street, N.Y.C. 1865 (gelatin silver print) by American Photographer, (19th century); Collection of the New-York Historical Society, USA; eNew York Historical Society; American

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: A shopkeeper standing in the doorway of his shop (photo)

A shopkeeper standing in the doorway of his shop (photo)
587217 A shopkeeper standing in the doorway of his shop (photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Physic Street, Canton, c. 1867-72 (black and white photograph)

Physic Street, Canton, c. 1867-72 (black and white photograph)
473722 Physic Street, Canton, c.1867-72 (black and white photograph) by Thomson, John (1837-1921); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Kabuki actor as a shopkeeper (coloured woodblock print)

Kabuki actor as a shopkeeper (coloured woodblock print)
1069936 Kabuki actor as a shopkeeper (coloured woodblock print) by Kunichika, Toyohara (1835-1900); 35.6x24.1 cm; Dallas Museum of Art, Texas

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Church Square, Grahamstown (b / w photo)

Church Square, Grahamstown (b / w photo)
3092395 Church Square, Grahamstown (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Church Square, Grahamstown)

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Shopkeeper and apprentice in the time of Charles I (litho)

Shopkeeper and apprentice in the time of Charles I (litho)
1074122 Shopkeeper and apprentice in the time of Charles I (litho) by Paget, Walter Stanley (1861-1908); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: The Coronation Procession of the Czar Alexander II (engraving)

The Coronation Procession of the Czar Alexander II (engraving)
2772534 The Coronation Procession of the Czar Alexander II (engraving) by Janet, Gustave (b. 1829); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Coronation Procession of the Czar Alexander II)

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: A Bird Shop (engraving)

A Bird Shop (engraving)
602260 A Bird Shop (engraving) by Thomson, Hugh (1860-1920); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Bird Shop, depicting a group of people looking in the cages while shopkeeper feeds a bird)

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Brother John and I (engraving)

Brother John and I (engraving)
585677 Brother John and I (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Brother John and I, the polite grocers of the Strand, London)

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: French Hall Market, Guernsey (colour photo)

French Hall Market, Guernsey (colour photo)
3096687 French Hall Market, Guernsey (colour photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: French Hall Market, Guernsey)

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: A grocer cups his ear to a small girl in his shop (colour litho)

A grocer cups his ear to a small girl in his shop (colour litho)
960229 A grocer cups his ear to a small girl in his shop (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: What Did You Say, Little One)

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: The Bazaars, Cairo, Egypt

The Bazaars, Cairo, Egypt
circa 1910s

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: INDIAN BAZaR 1930S

INDIAN BAZaR 1930S
Indian shopkeepers in the bazaars frequently squat on the ground behind their wares. The business of buying and selling takes time as both sides haggle for hours. Date: 1930s

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: GREAT RUBBISH SALE

GREAT RUBBISH SALE
THE UNPROTECTED FEMALE AT A GREAT RUBBISH SALE The customer is depicted as the victim of unscrupulous shopkeepers Date: 1853

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Porcelain Shops in Kiyomizu-Zaka, Kyoto, 1890s. Creator: Japanese Photographer (19th Century)

Porcelain Shops in Kiyomizu-Zaka, Kyoto, 1890s. Creator: Japanese Photographer (19th Century)
Porcelain Shops in Kiyomizu-Zaka, Kyoto, 1890s (hand coloured photo)

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: A Quick Change of Front, by C. Harrison

A Quick Change of Front, by C. Harrison
A Quick Change of Front. A German shopkeeper, being a purveyor of Teutonic delicatessen products, makes a quick change once hostilities between Germany and England begin

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Traders offer a large variety of beads for sale in

Traders offer a large variety of beads for sale in an open-fronted market stall in Omdurman

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: W. S. P. U Defence of Militancy Old Bailey

W. S. P. U Defence of Militancy Old Bailey
W.S.P.U Defence of Militancy Old Bailey. Entitled The Mans Share this is Frederick Pethick-Lawrences Defence of Militancy delivered from the Dock of the Old Bailey, May 20th 1912. Mr & Mrs

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Action for Libel, Lyons v Lipton, WW1

Action for Libel, Lyons v Lipton, WW1
Notice of an Action for Libel in the High Court of Justice, J Lyons & Co Limited being the plaintiffs, and Lipton Limited as defendants, during the early stages of the First World War

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Picture No. 11676048

Picture No. 11676048
Local Man in craft shop. Date:

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: China - Guangzhou - Street Scene

China - Guangzhou - Street Scene
China - Guangzhou (Canton) - Street Scene. Date: 1911

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Grocery Shop 1932

Grocery Shop 1932
Grocery shop, Malmo, Sweden 1932. Date: 1932

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Chemist

Chemist and makeup shop, Malmo 1936 Date: 1936

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: The Man of the Moment by George Ranstead

The Man of the Moment by George Ranstead
The Man of the Moment, a local grocer, is depicted wearing expensive clothes and smoking a fat cigar. Shopkeepers were often accused of profiteering during the Great War and were frequently satirised

Background imageShopkeepers Collection: Fish Shop / Holloway

Fish Shop / Holloway
Fishmongers in Holloway, North London



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In the bustling streets of Hong Kong in the 1890s, they were the heart and soul of the vibrant cityscape. As C016 / 4499 captured this scene, one could witness their unwavering dedication to their craft, diligently tending to their shops with pride. Across continents, at Greycoat School in London, young minds were shaped by lessons on commerce and entrepreneurship. These future shopkeepers would soon embark on a journey to create their own mark in the world of business. Meanwhile, a shopping street in Salcombe, Devon painted a picture of quaint charm as local shopkeepers warmly greeted visitors with genuine smiles. Their establishments stood as pillars within the community, providing essential goods and fostering a sense of camaraderie among residents. Venturing further southwest to The Lizard in Landewednack, Cornwall during the early 1900s revealed F. Squibbs Serpentine Bazaar and its dedicated shopkeepers. They skillfully crafted unique serpentine products that showcased Cornwall's rich heritage while sustaining traditional craftsmanship for generations to come. Adjacent to these workshops lay Serpentine workshops where artisans honed their skills amidst an atmosphere brimming with creativity and passion. These talented individuals epitomized resilience as they preserved ancient techniques through changing times. During WW1 depicted by Rodo Pissarro's cartoon "Business as Usual, " even amidst chaos and uncertainty, shopkeepers remained steadfast pillars of stability within communities across Europe. Their determination ensured that daily life continued despite adversity. The artwork "A Quick Change of Front" by C. Harrison portrayed how some entrepreneurs swiftly adapted their businesses during challenging times—a testament to the resourcefulness inherent within every successful shopkeeper throughout history. However, not all tales were filled with triumph; violence against Chinese and Japanese immigrants stained California's history during this era (as shown in a color lithograph). Shopkeepers faced discrimination but persevered against prejudice while contributing positively to their adopted communities.