The director's office (1935)

In this obviously staged scene, two of the liberal trade union's leading men can be seen together. In the centre Alfons Colle (1882-1968) and to his right his son Armand (1910-1992).
Alfons Colle was one of the driving forces of the union in the early decades. Based in Ghent, as secretary and later general director he played a major role in the centralisation of the union in the 1930s.
Armand Colle was president of the ACLVB from 1959 to 1989.
Interestingly, behind the desk can be seen a bust of Voltaire and a portrait of Edouard Pecher (1885-1926), former president of the Liberal Party and of the national liberal health insurance fund.
Photo by Albert Ritsaert.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.12117/22072781

The accountancy department (1933)

Two clerks in the accountancy office.
Photo by Albert Ritsaert.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.12117/22569604.

The mailing department (1935)

Two clerks are preparing a mailing. The man on the left is handling a Gestetner's duplicator.
Note the recruitment posters on the wall, as well as the portrait of king Albert I (although the king had died the previous year).
Photo by Albert Ritsaert.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.12117/28700215.

Entrance for the unemployed (1935)

Somewhat ominously described as "the entrance for the unemployed", this actually was the main entrance to the various administrations located under the same roof in the Kortrijksepoorstraat in Ghent: the liberal trade union, the liberal health insurance "De Voorzorg" and the liberal pension fund.
Photo by Albert Ritsaert.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.12117/22677283.

Unemployment (1935)

Men queue to receive their unemployment benefit. In this decade of economic crisis, the centralisation of the various local unemployment funds in the 1930s considerably enhanced the efficiency and significance of the trade union.
Photo by Albert Ritsaert.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.12117/28629924.

A look behind the counter (1935)

Another beautifully staged photo with Armand Colle assisting the clerks in the distribution of the unemployment benefits.
Photo by Albert Ritsaert.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.12117/28628386.

Congress of the liberal trade union (1935)

Paul Lamborelle (1871-1943), president of the Belgian liberal trade union, delivering his speech before the general assembly in Brussels on 14 July 1935. To his left is seated Léon Dens, former minister of Defence and at that time president of the Liberal Party. On the extreme left Carl Wilhelm de Vries, representative of the Dutch Liberal Party. This congress was held during the world exhibition in Brussels. The Dutch liberals praised the achievement of their Belgian political comrades.
Photographer unknown.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.12117/29054499

A clerk at his desk (1930s)

A fine image of an office desk of the era, with some of the characteristic supplies like pen, ink pots, stamps and rack, and a Burroughs calculator.
Photographer unknown.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.12117/29407312

The dynamic liberal trade union (1936)

The registration of the 4000th member of the liberal trade union of Courtrai was the occasion for a three-day celebration in May 1936, culminating in a parade through the city. Some 125 liberal organisations with banners and music bands from all over the country attended the festivities.
Photographer unknown.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.12117/28707757.

Inauguration of the new administrative seat in Ghent (1937)

On December 19, 1937 the new building housing the offices and the administrative seat of the liberal trade union was officially opened on the Koning Albertlaan in Ghent (the registered office remained in Brussels). Various liberal personalities attended. President Paul Lamborelle (second from left) is seen here accompanied by, among others, Octave Dierckx (left), former president of the Liberal Party and then minister of Internal Affairs; Julius Hoste jr. (second from right), minister of Education; and Count Maurice Lippens (right), minister of State. The building plot on the Koning Albertlaan had been purchased from the family Lippens.
Photographer unknown.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.12117/22099394.

The new office building (1937/38)

Staff at work in one of the new workplaces of the administrative seat on the Koning Albertlaan in Ghent, described as "modern", "light and airy".
Photo by E. Van Damme.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.12117/10940978.

Colle triumphs (1938)

Liberal organisations with banners and music bands parade through Ghent in celebration of Alfons Colle, following his success in the municipal elections of October 1938.
Photographer unknown.
https://hdl.handle.net/21.12117/22465670