William Bedcott

Copper-engraved billhead and handwritten invoice issued by William Bedcott, wax chandler in Berkeley Square. The billhead is engraved with tradesman's sign of a beehive within a cartouche. The invoice refers to the supply of wax moon lights and spermaceti candles to a Mr Perkins between January and May 1755. 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.