The three pictures in the collection reflect, in a very small way, the history of the Central Library and the port of Liverpool. John Stuart Dalton (1798–1868) was the first City Librarian (1852–1866); his portrait was painted by local artist William Daniels, who is buried in Saint James Cemetery. John Atkinson Grimshaw's painting of the Liverpool docks is typical of his work. There is little infomation about the British School painting of SS 'Truthful', but perhaps it relects the type of ship coming into Liverpool during the days of sail.