Royal Thoughtfulness

Colour print (with decorative border). Royal Thoughtfulness. "Tim" the Railway Collecting Dog summoned to the Royal Saloon, Paddington, on the Queen's return from Ireland (Her Majesty contributing to his collection for the Widows' and Orphans' Fund). Drawn by Sydney Cowell.

Railway collecting dogs were a common sight throughout the Victorian period. These dogs would generally be found at railway stations with tins attached to their backs which people could post money in to. Some dogs stayed in fixed locations; however, some roamed freely around the station. Collecting dogs raised money for a variety of different causes, for example in this image Tim is collecting for a Widows’ and Orphans’ fund. Collecting dogs would also sometimes be taken aboard trains to encourage further donations.