We gave a small mention to CTK Photobank in last week's Collections Crossover email about strikes and industrial action, but now we have most material online, it's time to herald its arrival with a dedicated Collection of the Week. CTK Photobank is the image archive of Czech News Agency (CTK) a traditional producer and provider of images from the Czech Republic, with its roots stretching all the way back to 1918. The archival collection holds historical images recording Czech, Slovak and wider world events, from the early 20th century up to the present day. As one of the oldest and most extensive archives of its kind in Europe, totalling about seven and a half million images digitised from glass plates, negatives and slides, it is of course a particularly strong source of images on all aspects of Czech life and history including industry, agriculture, culture and significant figures.

We're delighted to have added over 9,300 CTK pictures to our website this week. Unique highlights include: The Independence of Czechoslovakia (The First Republic), 1918; the upheavals of The Second World War; the Communist Takeover of 1948, forming The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic; The Prague Spring, 1968; The Velvet Revolution in 1989 and the eventual Dissolution of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1992.

It's always great to start representing a truly in-depth photographic collection such as this and we hope it will prove useful to our clients. Click here to view a few edited highlights.

Whether you're winding down or speeding up in the run-up to Christmas, we are on hand to help with all your historical picture needs. Do drop us a line either by email to pictures@maryevans.com or by calling us on 020 8318 0034 if you'd like a picture search, a quote or have any questions about using our library.