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Fine Art Print > Hulton Archive > Topical Press Agency

Topical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection

Early 20th Century images captured by one of the leading photo agency of the time

Choose a picture from our collection for your Wall Art and Photo Gifts

Often known simply as Topical, the Agency was founded c.1903 by Mr J.B. Helsby & Mr Walter J. Edward and was one of the leading photo agencies in London in the early twentieth-century. This is an amazing collection of historical black & white art prints taken by Topical photographers who captured images of contemporary events and stock footage that was syndicated to newspapers and publishers around the world.

3,921 Fine Art Prints

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: British Battleship HMS Rodney

British Battleship HMS Rodney
The newly-launched British battleship HMS Rodney leaving the Cammell Laird shipyard at Birkenhead, Merseyside for Portsmouth, 13th August 1927. (Photo by H. F)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Wellington Bombers

Wellington Bombers
8th February 1940: A flight of Vickers Wellington long range bombers, used by the Royal Air Force to undertake raids into Germany and elsewhere. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Shire Horse

Shire Horse
23rd February 1926: A Shire Horse groomed for a show at the Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington. (Photo by Kirby/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: St Thomas Hospital

St Thomas Hospital
August 1919: St Thomas Hospital on the south bank of the River Thames, London. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: The bow of Sir Ernest Shackletons exploratory vessel SS Endurance

The bow of Sir Ernest Shackletons exploratory vessel SS Endurance
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 1914: The bow of Sir Ernest Shackletons exploratory vessel SS Endurance being prepared for her Antarctic voyage in Millwall Docks, London, England

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Benito Mussolini Portrait 1925

Benito Mussolini Portrait 1925
12th November 1925: Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini (1883 - 1945). (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Italian Dictator

Italian Dictator
November 1923: Italian dictator Benito Mussolini (1883 - 1945), wearing a national malitia uniform. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Boots The Chemist

Boots The Chemist
October 1916: The exterior of Boots the Chemist shop in a British high street. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Suffragette Parade through New York City, 3rd May 1913

Suffragette Parade through New York City, 3rd May 1913
3rd May 1913: Crowds line the sidewalks to watch a Womens Suffragette Movement march through New York City. (Photo by Paul Thompson/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Coal Truck Crash

Coal Truck Crash
December 1923: A lorry delivering coal, which has skidded off the road and crashed into the railings outside a house. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Female Surgeons

Female Surgeons
American female doctors in an operating theatre being watched by students. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: President Roosevelt

President Roosevelt
29th December 1941: American president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, (1882-1945) sitting at the desk of his executive office in the White House. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Peeking At Planes

Peeking At Planes
Cyclists standing on their bicycles peer over the perimeter fence to watch the 1911 Hendon Aviation meeting, 13th May 1911. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: SS Endurance leaving Millwall Docks

SS Endurance leaving Millwall Docks
August 01, 1914: Irish explorer Sir Ernest Shackletons ship SS Endurance after leaving Millwall Docks, bound for the Antarctic. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Shrunken Heads

Shrunken Heads
19th August 1925: Three specimen of shrunken heads all with long hair, prepared by the Macas Indians. (Photo by Kirby/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Aquaplaning

Aquaplaning
15th September 1925: One of the most difficult aquaplane stunts, water-surfing upside down, performed by Mr Brooks, at Lake Tahoe, California, where the sport is very popular

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Goodbye Kiss

Goodbye Kiss
1929: A Welsh soldier kissing his loved ones goodbye, before setting off from Waterloo Station, London, for service in Egypt. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Green Work

Green Work
31st August 1927: Horses pulling draggers in preparation for seed-sowing a green on a golf course being built near Windsor. The course is to be known as the Royal Berkshire Golf Club

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Cunard Ocean Liner RMS Aquitania

Cunard Ocean Liner RMS Aquitania
2nd August 1934: The RMS Aquitania photographed at Southampton

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Airship R-101

Airship R-101
October 1929: Airship R101 passing over St Pauls Cathedral, London. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Captured Aircraft

Captured Aircraft
9th November 1918: Captured German aircraft at the Lord Mayors show, London. (Photo by A. R. Coster/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Gardening Nuns

Gardening Nuns
January 1909: Sisters of Anglet, nuns from the order of St. Bernard in the garden of the nunnery. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Hawkstone Hounds

Hawkstone Hounds
circa 1905: The Hawkstone Otter Hounds search for their quarry near a tree trunk in the river. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Captured Plane

Captured Plane
9th November 1918: On display at the Lord Mayors Show - a German Pfalz plane, shot down near Arras on 17th October 1918. (Photo by A. R. Coster/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Cheeky Bathers

Cheeky Bathers
10th September 1926: A group of bathing girls at Chiswick open air baths throw their fully-clothed friend into the shallow end. (Photo by G. Adams/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Evening Dresses

Evening Dresses
22nd January 1929: Three smart evening dresses from the Mannequin Parade, at the British Artificial Silk Exhibition at Olympia, London. (Photo by H. F. Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Mounted Policeman

Mounted Policeman
March 1928: A constable of the Royal Canadian mounted police. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Auto Red Bug

Auto Red Bug
1st March 1929: A man and a woman riding in an Auto Red Bug, Americas latest electric 2-seater runabout, in a London street. Driven by a 16 volt battery, it is capable of 12 mph. (Photo by J)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Arsenal And Villa

Arsenal And Villa
24th February 1926: A section of the crowd at the football match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Highbury. (Photo by W. G. Phillips/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Picnic At Henley

Picnic At Henley
Spectators having a picnic lunch in a punt at Henley Royal Regatta, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, 3rd July 1929. (Photo by MacGregor/Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Lambton Quay

Lambton Quay
circa 1930: Cars park along the side of the road whilst trams rumble through the Lambton Quay area of Wellington, New Zealand, where hotels and guest houses line the streets. (Photo by S. C)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Dublin Horse Show

Dublin Horse Show
29th August 1912: The crowd in the Grandstand. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: HMS Indefatigable

HMS Indefatigable
circa 1912: The warship, HMS Indefatigable, at sea. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Hammersmith Broadway

Hammersmith Broadway
Circa 1910: Hammersmith broadway with the underground station on the right and elaborate railings at the entrance to public conveniences in the centre. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Instruments

Instruments
1923: Musical instruments belonging to the Savoy Orpheans Band, including saxophones, trumpets and a trombone. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: British Topical Press Agency (1903 - 1957)

British Topical Press Agency (1903 - 1957)
Fine Art Storehouse Vintage Photo Gallery: Press Photography: British Topical Press Agency (1903 - 1957)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Airship R33

Airship R33
March 1919: The British airship R33 in its hangar as it prepares for its first ever flight at an aerodrome in Barlow, Yorkshire. (Photo by R. Humphrey/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Shrewsbury Rail Accident

Shrewsbury Rail Accident
The scene of the Shrewsbury rail accident of 15th October 1907. Eighteen people were killed in the crash when a train from Manchester derailed on the approach to Shrewsbury station

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: RMS Aquitania

RMS Aquitania
The Cunard ocean liner RMS Aquitania on the River Clyde in Scotland, shortly after leaving the shipyard for her maiden voyage, 10th May 1914

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Working For Suffrage

Working For Suffrage
circa 1913: A crowd of women representing the various professions on a Womens Suffrage Movement parade through New York City. (Photo by Paul Thompson/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Aquitania

Aquitania
The Cunard liner Aquitania leaves Southampton on a transatlantic voyage to New York. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Market Stall

Market Stall
24th May 1928: Market traders at Messrs Reuben Levys stall at Spitalfields Market, east London. (Photo by J. Gaiger/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Horse Race Fair

Horse Race Fair
April 1925: A dwarf posing on a funfair ride with a group of people on Newmarket 2, 000 Guinea Race Day. (Photo by W. G. Phillips/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Salmon Fishing

Salmon Fishing
13th August 1925: Mrs MacDonald fishing for salmon on the River Spey. The area is also popular for grouse shooting

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Lady Mountbatten

Lady Mountbatten
27th January 1927: The worker for the London Division of the British Red Cross Society and Saint Johns Ambulence, Lady Mountbatten (1901 - 1960), with the American, Stephen Sanford

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Battle Scene

Battle Scene
20th September 1927: The remains of an old flour mill on the banks of the Iser at Dixmunde, Belgium, which was the scene of heavy fighting during World War I

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Gold Shipment

Gold Shipment
17th February 1927: Russian sailors watching gold from the Lena Gold Fields being unloaded from thess Trotsky at Hays Wharf. The shipment belongs to Messrs Rothschild

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Death Of A Friend

Death Of A Friend
25th August 1925: Nurses in uniform file from Westminster Abbey following the funeral of one of their doctor colleagues. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Isle Of Thanet

Isle Of Thanet
July 1927: Children walking at the waters edge on the beach at Dumpton Gap, Isle of Thanet, carrying their buckets and spades. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Christmas Spirit

Christmas Spirit
December 1925: Children enjoying themselves at a Christmas party at Kentish Town. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Lunch Time

Lunch Time
18th September 1926: The ?100 prize winners from a national essay competition on bananas starting their lunch with bananas. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Thirsty

Thirsty
5th June 1925: An office boy drinking from a hose used for watering the Temple Garden lawn. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: British Tobacco Farm

British Tobacco Farm
September 1926: At a tobacco farm near Fleet, in Hampshire, workers strip tobacco leaves in readiness for grading. Over 80 acres of land are being used for the cultivation of tobacco

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Rustic

Rustic
September 1926: A farm worker relaxes with a pipe and young companions on a tobacco farm at Church Crookham near Fleet. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Winter Sports

Winter Sports
19th December 1927: Two young ladies trying out a toboggan at a London store. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Limited Headroom

Limited Headroom
12th August 1925: A Covent Garden carman crossing a temporary Waterloo Bridge, London. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Dairymans Guild

Dairymans Guild
July 1925: The Dairymans Guild complete with float and bottles. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Sevenoaks Rail Crash

Sevenoaks Rail Crash
August 1927: Workmen dig out the locomotive of the 2-6-4 tank engine which crashed near Sevenoaks on the Southern Railway. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Cooling Down

Cooling Down
June 1925: A group of children paddling in the River Thames in London. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Hopwood Triplets

Hopwood Triplets
29th September 1926: Connie, Henry and Susan Hopwood prepare for next years schooling. The triplets are all five years of age. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Beach Belles

Beach Belles
7th May 1928: Two bathers sitting on the rocks at Broadstairs beach under a parasol. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Low Dive

Low Dive
25th March 1929: A swimmer prepares for a plunge into the sea at Margate, Kent. (Photo by H. F. Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Knee Gaiters

Knee Gaiters
20th February 1928: A couple of ladies showing their knee gaiters on their stockings. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: 1920s Fashion

1920s Fashion
7th April 1925: A woman wearing a 1920s day dress. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Evening Wear

Evening Wear
1st March 1928: Dark gold and platinum evening dress on the right, and a black Crepe de China picture gown with dainty underskirt and ribbons on the left

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Racegoers

Racegoers
April 1926: At a Ludlow Hunt Steeplechase, Miss Hunt and on right resting on a shooting-stick, Miss R Hamilton-Russell. (Photo by W. G. Phillips/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Bank interior

Bank interior
3rd October 1925: Rows of clerks at work making manual entries to the ledgers in the interior of a bank, while a doorman stands by the door. (Photo by Davies/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Young Paddlers

Young Paddlers
5th July 1927: Two young holidaymakers at Viking Bay, Broadstairs, on the Isle of Thanet. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Synthetic Silk

Synthetic Silk
19th April 1926: Fashion models on the catwalk wearing clothes made from artificial silk at the Holland Park Hall in London. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: C Patrick during the ACU 6 Day Reliability Trial from Burton

C Patrick during the ACU 6 Day Reliability Trial from Burton
August 1926: Supporters cheering as C Patrick passes by during the ACU 6 Day Reliability Trial from Burton. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Slimming Aid

Slimming Aid
1928: A woman exercising on a vibrating motor machine. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Police Questioning

Police Questioning
22nd February 1926: Police questioning sandwich-board carriers during a demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament in London at the time of the general strike

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Bank Clerk

Bank Clerk
29th September 1925: A bank clerk paying out to two customers. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Rooftop Creche

Rooftop Creche
8th December 1926: Lady Islington and Lady Grigg open their roof top home and garden for the benefit of children who have no gardens at home. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Military Tattoo

Military Tattoo
21st May 1926: Soldiers at Aldershot wheeling out the galleys from the store depot in preparation for the great military tattoo. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: St Moritz Cafe

St Moritz Cafe
1st January 1929: Holidaymakers outside a cafe in St Moritz. (Photo by W. G. Phillips/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Potatoes For Sale

Potatoes For Sale
23rd November 1928: A display of potatoes at the stand of James Ruane & Sons at Spitalfields Market. (Photo by J. Gaiger/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Oxford Airmen

Oxford Airmen
24th July 1928: A pilot of the Oxford University Air Squadron during a pre-flight inspection. (Photo by J. Gaiger/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Rat Wars

Rat Wars
10th October 1928: Men rolling poison dough and cutting it into Red Squill biscuits for the Ministry of Defences rat control programme. (Photo by J. Gaiger/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Steel Sleepers

Steel Sleepers
Steel sleepers being laid on a GWR line near Maidenhead, Berkshire. Old wooden sleepers are lying beside the track

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Cowes Week

Cowes Week
The start of the Kings Cup race in Cowes, on the Isle of Wight

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Boat Launch

Boat Launch
The launching of the Canadian Pacific Railway liner Princess Helene at Dumbarton near Glasgow

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: Preparing Poison

Preparing Poison
10th October 1928: A member of staff working for Dr C L Claremont, Research Chemist on Rat Destruction for the Ministry of Agriculture

Background imageTopical Press Agency Fine Art Print Collection: City Lights

City Lights
Electric signs outside the London Pavilion in Piccadilly Circus, advertising the Charles B Cochran revue Wake Up and Dream!, as well as Gordons Gin, State Express cigarettes and the Ever Ready razor



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