The Cries of London Exhibiting Several of the Itinerant Traders of Antient and Modern Times

Step into the bustling lanes of historic London as this vivid collection brings to life the cries and crafts of its itinerant traders. Thirteen plates reproduce rare early woodcuts, while the remaining illustrations capture the author’s own sketches of street vendors he observed in the early nineteenth century. From watchmen and bell‑men of the Stuart era to modern washerwomen, potters and gingerbread makers, each portrait offers a snapshot of daily survival and local colour.

Accompanying the images are concise, researched notes that blend archival detail with the author’s personal reminiscences, drawn from his years as keeper of prints at the British Museum. The work also includes a brief memoir and portrait, giving listeners a sense of the scholar‑artist behind the project. As a companion to his earlier volume on mendicant wanderers, this compilation invites you to hear the sound of an ever‑changing city through the voices of its humble merchants.