Tag Archives: Peddlers

Ben Holbrook, a walking stationer

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Benjamin Holbrook, shown full-length in profile, walking to the left, holding with a long white staff in his right hand, clutching two memorandum books in his left hand, heading towards Fleet Market, with the west front of St. Paul’s Cathedral visible in the background. His eyes being closed and the presence of the staff indicate his blindness, and the patched elbow of his three-quarter-length coat his poverty.

  • Artist: Nixon, John, -1818, artist.
  • Title: Ben Holbrook, a walking stationer [art original] / JN [monogram] fect. 1783.
  • Production: [England], [1783]

Catalog Record

Drawings N736 no. 11 Box D141

Acquired May 2024

Water cresses, come buy my water cresses

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lwlpr34239 (833x1024)

“A decrepit old man stands at the door of a house of ill fame at the corner of Portland Street; Mrs Burke is on the door-plate. One hand is on the knocker; he turns to scowl at a woman (right) who holds out a bunch of water-cress from a large shallow basket slung from the hip. A child clings to her shoulders; a little girl (left) with a small basket also offers him a bunch. Two young courtesans lean from a first-floor window. In the background (right), behind a spiked gate, are trees and a large house (or houses).”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Merke, Henri, printmaker.
  • Title: Water cresses, come buy my water cresses [graphic] / Rowlandson delin. ; Merke sculp.
  • Publication: London : Pub. Mar. 1, 1799, at R. Ackermann’s, 101 Strand, [1 March 1799]

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

799.03.01.06+

Acquired March 2016

Hot cross bunns, two a penny bunns

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lwlpr34238 (811x1024)

“A stout and burly woman stands at a street-door with a large basket of buns. A young woman and three children buy; the children help themselves, the woman holds a plate which she fills with buns. In the background (left) is a Georgian church with pediment and cupola; a fat parson in his surplice hurries along to escape from a woman and two children, who beg from him.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Merke, Henri, printmaker.
  • Title: Hot cross bunns, two a penny bunns [graphic] / Rowlandson delin. ; Merke sculp.
  • Publication: London : Pubd. May 4, 1799, at Ackermann’s Gallery, 101 Strand, [4 May 1799]

Catalog Record & Digital Collection

799.05.04.01+

Acquired March 2016