Billhead, invoice

Copper-engraved billhead with handwritten invoice issued by the linen drapers Hughes and Moore located at the Blackmoor's head in York Street Covent Garden. The billhead includes an engraving of the tradesman's sign of a Blackamoor within a decorative cartouche. Dated 30th March 1749 the handwritten invoice refers to the supply of cloth to Mrs Hucks. Peter Fryer notes in his book 'Staying Power: The History of Black People in Britain' that 'between 1541 and the middle of the 19th century 51 traders in London used a similar trade sign of the Blackamoor's head.