The Cries of London
By Francis Wheatley – 1793
We have just got hold of an almost complete set of the Cries of London – we are rather excited about this so we have duly scanned them in for your perusal with some of our notes to accompany them. (These notes are a work in Progress and being added to regularly – bear with us, there’s just sooo much reasearch to do!)
There are normally 13 in the set, but for now we just have the 12 – but what a wonderful 12 they are.
Please Forgive us! This Page is not yet completely finished!
Primrose Seller:
Details of Above:
Primrose seller:
– Straw hat – (not opting for calling it a bergere or milkmaid hat as it has quite a deep crown)
– Open Robe with Closed Bodice – possibly sporadic hook and eyes due to the gaping – but in good condition.
– Doesn’t look as if she’s wearing Stays – which we’d suggest would be unusual for someone in such good nick clothes. Our studies seem to point towards the poorer dressed women in paintings being the less likely to wear stays.
– Yellow handkerchief – tucked in.
– No ruffles or frills -neither at neckline or sleeves – suggesting a plain Shift.
– Plain sleeves – longer than what was probably fashionable.
– Fairly dense, good, white Apron – gathered in at Waist string.
– Red Petticoat – fairly high hem – lower to mid calf in length.
– White Stockings.
– Black shoes with Buckles.
– Overall Appearance – Clean and Clothing in good condition.
Girl:
– Looks ot have a pair of Stays on – probably a child’s pair/
– Elbow length Shift/Chemise
– Under cap
–
The Match Seller:
Old Chairs to Mend:
Knives, Scissors and Razors to Grind:
Orange Seller:
The Ballad Seller:
The Milkmaid:
The Mackrel Seller:
The Cherry Seller:
The Strawberry Seller:
The Turnip and Carrot Seller:
The Gingerbread Seller:
