The Forty Elephants were unique in the annals of British crime. Known also as the Forty Thieves, they were the country's only all-female crime syndicate, a gang of tough but glamorous young women who plundered the fashion stores and jewel shops of the West End, took their lovers from the among London's most notorious gangsters, and terrorised their rivals, male and female alike. Their roots lay with the Elephant Gang, a band of highwaymen who once haunted the Elephant and Castle coaching inn south of the Thames and whose reputation descended through generations of cutthroats. In the dying years of Queen Victoria's reign, their women forged a name of their own under their first prominent leader, the beautiful artists' model Mary Carr, known as Queen Thief. But it was her successor, Alice Diamond, who led the Elephants to their greatest infamy. Born the oldest of eight children in Lambeth Workhouse Infirmary, Diamond was the daughter of a jailbird and by her teens was said to be the cleverest shoplifter in London. Newspapers described her gang as 'notorious for their good looks, fine stature, and smart clothing' as well as for stealing the most expensive silks, gems and furs. One detective described how they would descend 'like a gang of locusts' in taxis and chauffeur-driven limousines, cleaning out a store inside one hour. They also used the motor-car and train to travel the country, targeting shops and warehouses, wearing specially made skirts and knickers to hide their plunder and spending their ill-gotten gains on a life of mad excess. Alice was equally adept with her fists, and in 1926 she and her lieutenants were jailed for a major affray. The target for constant police attention, she eventually passed the mantle to her protégé, Shirley Pitts, a pretty young 'hoister' known as the Queen of Shoplifters and who was later buried in a £5,000 dress she forgot to pay for. Crime historian Brian McDonald has uncovered a wealth of material to write the first ever full-length account of these remarkable women and their scandalous exploits.

The Forty Elephants gang were notorious in London 100 years ago, started by Alice diamond and taken over by smash and grab specialist Lilian Rose Kendall (pictured).

THE FORTY ELEPHANTS The ‘Forty Elephants’ or ‘Forty Thieves’ were a London-based all-female crime syndicate in existence from at least the 19th century until the 1950’s. The gang specialised in...

Alice Diamond was the leader of one of the most terrifying groups of gangsters that ever roamed London's streets.

The Forty Elephants gang were notorious in London 100 years ago, started by Alice diamond and taken over by smash and grab specialist Lilian Rose Kendall (pictured).

Trying to choose from the best Udawalawe safaris can be difficult, so I've researched the top excursions for you! Here are my recommendations!

Between 18th & 19th century an all-female crime syndicate named the ‘Forty Elephants Gang,’ who specialized in shoplifting wreaked havoc across London. They used to either flirt with their victims or batter them with diamond clustered knuckle dusters.

Seeing The Elephant: Letters Of R. R. Taylor, Forty-Niner

Forty Elephants was an all-female criminal gang that operated for nearly two centuries. Find out about them and other fascinating crime facts

Alice Diamond was the leader of one of the most terrifying groups of gangsters that ever roamed London's streets.

The two interlocking and rather affectionate elephants shown here make up one of the finest of the forty-four large illustrations in the manuscript Manāfi˓-i ḥayavān (The Benefits of Animals). They are royal elephants, as seen from their caps and the bells on their feet. The text describes both the habits and medicinal derivatives of the animal.

Ruthless, all-female Forty Elephants gang ran capital's biggest shoplifting racket, according to new book

1. Between 18th & 19th century an all-female crime syndicate named the ‘Forty Elephants Gang,’ who specialized in shoplifting wreaked havoc across London. They used to either flirt with their victims or batter them with diamond clustered knuckle dusters.

We think of the corsets and voluminous petticoats of the 1800’s as painfully limiting to the women who wore them, but a group of female gang members in 20th century London would be inclined to disagree. Enter the “Forty Elephants”, also the “Forty Thieves”, an all-female gang that terrorized London and the surrounding area for…

Special Update: After nearly 1.5 years of anticipation, our 12 page feature spread in BHG’s Do It Yourself magazine is finally out! Keep an eye out for the Winter 2015 edition on newsstands now. Or preview the digital edition here. Now back to story time… I descended into Bangkok on a Wednesday afternoon, thankful that […]

We think of the corsets and voluminous petticoats of the 1800’s as painfully limiting to the women who wore them, but a group of female gang members in 20th century London would be inclined to disagree. Enter the “Forty Elephants”, also the “Forty Thieves”, an all-female gang that terrorized London and the surrounding area for…

Poaching of elephants in Africa still exceeds natural rate of population growth a year after 46 countries pledged to control illegal ivory trade

New book reveals true story of ruthless Elephant and Castle gang which operated like a business corporation with a strict code of conduct

A lot has changed in ten years, but at Elephant the power of the printed page remains as firm as ever. Across forty issues and counting, we take a look back at the varied and experimental approach to our graphic identity, and speak to the design studios who have helped to shape it.

The incredible story of the Forty Elephants Gang is one that has only recently come to light. Find out more here...

Highlights "A rollicking ride through the criminal underbelly of post-WWI London. Author(s): Heather Webb 368 Pages Fiction + Literature Genres, Women Description About the Book "1925. London. When Alice Diamond, AKA "Diamond Annie," is elected the Queen of the Forty Elephants, she's determined to take the all-girl gang to new heights. She's ambitious, tough as nails, and a brilliant mastermind, with a plan to create a dynasty the likes of which no one has ever seen. Alice demands absolute loyalty from her "family"--it's how she's always kept the cops in line. Too bad she's now the target for one of Britain's first female policewomen. Officer Lilian Wyles isn't merely one of the first female detectives at Scotland Yard, she's one of the best detectives on the force. Even so, she'll have to win a big score to prove herself, to break free from the "women's work" she's been assigned. When she hears about the large-scale heist in the works to fund Alice's new dynasty, she realizes she has the chance she's been looking for-and the added bonus of putting Diamond Annie out of business permanently."-- Book Synopsis "A rollicking ride through the criminal underbelly of post-WWI London. Gritty at times and tender at others, Queens of London unmasks the most lawless--and likeable--gang of women you've never heard of." --Sarah Penner, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary Maybe women can have it all, as long as they're willing to steal it. 1925. London. When Alice Diamond, AKA "Diamond Annie," is elected the Queen of the Forty Elephants, she's determined to take the all-girl gang to new heights. She's ambitious, tough as nails, and a brilliant mastermind, with a plan to create a dynasty the likes of which no one has ever seen. Alice demands absolute loyalty from her "family"--it's how she's always kept the cops in line. Too bad she's now the target for one of Britain's first female policewomen. Officer Lilian Wyles isn't merely one of the first female detectives at Scotland Yard, she's one of the best detectives on the force. Even so, she'll have to win a big score to prove herself, to break free from the "women's work" she's been assigned. When she hears about the large-scale heist in the works to fund Alice's new dynasty, she realizes she has the chance she's been looking for--and the added bonus of putting Diamond Annie out of business permanently. A tale of dark glamour and sisterhood, Queens of London is a look at Britain's first female crime syndicate, the ever-shifting meaning of justice, and the way women claim their power by any means necessary, from USA Today bestselling author Heather Webb. Review Quotes "A whirlwind adventure...you'll be surprised. And after only the first few pages you'll be reading as much because you care about the characters as you will for the plot." -- Historical Novel Society "With engaging characters and strong women protagonists, Webb's page-turning historical work speaks to the challenges that women faced in the 1920s and the fortitude they needed in order to succeed in society led by men." -- Booklist "An action-packed story full of glamour and danger, Queens of London transports readers into London's criminal world where Diamond Annie rules as queen and Officer Lilian Wyles is the only woman cunning enough to stop her. A gritty, glittering addition to any reader's shelf." -- Julia Kelly, international bestselling author of The Last Garden in England "Diamond Annie is a true original - a heroine who is tough, feisty, and handy with a blade, yet also capable of compassion, even if it's against her better judgement. Queens of London captures the stench and squalor of Elephant and Castle in the 1920s, in contrast to the glitter and fragrance of the new department stores in the West End. The dialogue is as sharp as Annie's blade, and the plot as fast-paced as her 'Elephants' fleeing after a heist. It's an unforgettable story of vulnerable but resourceful women finding ways to survive and thrive in a world where the odds are heavily stacked against them." -- Gill Paul, USA Today bestselling author of A Beautiful Rival "Four fascinating characters whose lives intertwine to create one page-turner of a novel, Queens of London by Heather Webb, is an absorbing tale of three women and a young girl who take charge of their lives and excel at their chosen professions. Still, when those lives collide, you'll never forget Alice, Lillian, Dorothy, or Hira and the choices they make. Set in 1920s London, the novel's action revolves around the infamous Forty Elephants, a gang of female thieves who robbed London's best high-end department stores--led by Diamond Annie, aka Alice. The tale of a lady detective, an honorable thief, a department store clerk, and an orphan in Webbs' skilled hands will keep you reading until the wee hours. A must-read." -- Denny S. Bryce, bestselling author of Wild Women and the Blues "Heather Webb lures readers into a page-turning, high-stakes game of cat and mouse in her latest historical novel, Queens of London. When Lilian Wyles, one of the first female police officers at Scotland Yard, crosses paths with Alice Diamond, queen of the all-female crime syndicate the Forty Elephants, neither woman will stop until they achieve their own forms of "justice." But what neither Lilian nor Alice realizes is that there's more to justice than meets the eye, and in a world disinclined towards women like them, they must redefine loyalty and fairness to prevail. Compelling and suspenseful." -- Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author "Heather Webb returns with this compelling glimpse into London's underworld in the 1920s. Readers will cheer for Lilian's straight-arrow ambition, Hira's innocent desperation, and Dorothy's generous spirit. Add in Diamond Annie's criminal intrigue, and Webb is able to weave a rich tapestry of women's lives in the early 20th century. Webb's storytelling shines, culminating in a fast-paced chase and a deeply gratifying finale." -- Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling author "Looting, lying, and the letter of the law: Queens of London delivers a rollicking ride through the criminal underbelly of post-WWI London. Gritty at times and tender at others, Queens of London unmasks the most lawless--and likeable--gang of women you've never heard of." -- Sarah Penner, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary "Strong women, ripped-from-the-headlines history, and page-turning suspense in a rich setting, Queens of London grabbed me and would not let me go. From the opening salvo, Heather Webb spins an atmospheric and heart-thumping journey into the heart of 1920's London. In these pages, we meet Diamond Annie, the head of an all-girl gang and Lilian Wyles, one of England's first female detectives as they each try and outwit the other to survive. With a cast of vibrant and witty wise-cracking women, and an orphan who might upend it all, this novel will keep you guessing (and holding your breath) until the last satisfying page. Known for her immersive historical fiction, Heather Webb has done it again and better than ever!" -- Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea "Three unique but disparate women and a young orphan are brought together by love, loyalty, and crime in 1920s London. With highly engaging characters and vivid peeks into the secret haunts of history, Queens of London is a fascinating and cleverly rendered story of resilience and determination that kept me reading long into the night." -- Shelley Noble, New York Times bestselling Author of The Tiffany Girls

Here at Laughing Elephant, we believe that attitude is everything in life. Thus, we've collected the words and images in this book with one simple goal in mind: inspiring happiness. The forty-two images in Happiness were selected from a vast collection and represent many types of happiness. They include pictures of nature, friendship, and play. They depict delightful circumstances and the simple delight of just being. These images are supported by a collection of inspiring quotes that were collected and coined by the author. Happiness is an ideal gift book - its radiant message will bring cheer and joy to all who peruse its pages.

Volantis, often called Old Volantis[2][3][4] and the First Daughter,[5][6] is a city in southwestern Essos. Located at the mouth of the Rhoyne on the Summer Sea, it is the oldest and the proudest of the Nine Free Cities.[7] Volantis is one of the greatest, richest, and most powerful of these city-states,[6] and despite depopulation by ancient wars it is still the most populous.[8]

Long before the smartphone, touching photo booth selfies, taken by women during the 20th century from the Edwardian era to the late 1970's.