Lantern-maker |
The lantern-maker is a nice example of one of the earliest kinds of shop, where a craftsman sells the items he has made from his own premises. In this kind of shop, the counter is often also a shutter, hinged at the bottom instead of at the side.
The Linen-draper's assistant dating from the late 1830s
'Hath ribands of all colours i'the rainbow - inkles, caddisses, cambrics, lawns: why he sings them overs as they were gods or goddesses'
Shakespeare: A Winters Tale
and this is one of the few where the names of the artist and the engraver are known. The artist was Kenny Meadows, a very prolific illustrator in his day, and the engraver was Orrin Smith. This picture is one of many portraying different types of people, from 'Heads of the People: Portraits of the English'.
The Newsagent: Girls Own Paper 1894 |
These are both from the 1894 volume. I particularly like the picture of the newsagent, for the sneaky piece of product placement; the billboard is advertising the Boys Own Paper, its companion publication.
The draper's shop illustration is a wonderful period piece, but what is slightly worrying is the fact that I can dimly remember shops a little like that. The clothes were different, though.
The Draper's shop: Girls Own Paper 1894 |
Love your illsutrations, Audrey. Susan
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures, Audrey. Thank you for sharing them. Like you, I can remember drapers' shops fitted out exactly like the one in your picture. We used to buy my school uniform in one and the old fashioned shop fittings were all part of the fun of the big expedition at the start of each school year. Then, in the early 1970s, I worked as a Saturday girl in a similar shop which still had the old fashioned pneumatic tube system for sending money to the cashier. These days, when I go into museums, I see so many things that were familiar objects or settings from my youth - a sure sign that I am over the hill and down the other side!
ReplyDeleteI somewhat more than dimly remember that type of shop. Pneumatic tubes are alas gone the way of those wonderful X-ray machines so you could see how well the new shoes fit, and your toes wiggle.
ReplyDeleteI always wanted a go on one of the X-Ray machines in shoe shops, but I never got the chance. I think they were withdrawn because the the indiscriminate blasting of children's feet with X-Rays, by non-medical personnel, wasn't entirely safe!
ReplyDeleteHeavens, I also remember the drapers shop and the shoe X-ray machine. I'm definitely on the other side of the hill.
ReplyDeleteI'm new to your Blog ... new to all blogging, in fact, and have so admired your illustrations. It's been great reading back through previous posts and to discover the origins of these amazing pictures and your willingness to share has made my day. Many, many thanks Audrey.
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