J. Toussaint

Copper-engraved billhead with a handwritten invoice issued by the wax chandler J Toussaint located at 3 Pall Mall. The billhead notes that, as well as being a seller of wax and spermaceti candles, flambeaux and sealing wax J Toussaint owned a wax manufactory and bleaching works at Feltham, Middlesex. The invoice dated April 1807 refers to the supply of wax lights to the household of Lord Bolton. Both the engraved and handwitten script is English round hand. Tallow candles were the cheapest form of domestic candle. Produced from animal fats they emited more smoke and smell than the more expensive varieties such as beeswax. Spermaceti candles, manufactured from oil removed from the head of the sperm whale. were increasingly available in the second half of the 18th century as the whaling trade increased. They were popular as they did not smell as repugnant as tallow when burned and produced a brighter light. Being harder than tallow or beeswax Spermaceti candles were also less likely to soften or bend in the summer heat.