Document, bill

This bill was issued by William Sharp and Company, a firm of weavers with premises in Covent Garden. This business was unusual as it was both a firm of weavers and mercers. The latter dealt in silks, which they ordered from weavers, and rarely invested in manufacturing. Successful weavers did not generally diversify into mercery.

Silk was expensive and therefore woven to order. This bill is made out to a Mrs Hucks, probably Sarah Hucks who rented a house on the south side of Queen Street from the Duke of Portland in the 1760s. The order includes silk imported from Persia and high quality 'rich' pink tabby silk. The most expensive silk has been woven with silver thread. W. Beale, probably a junior partner in the firm, has signed at the bottom to acknowledge receipt of payment for the goods. The Peacock and Turk's Head on the bill head would have appeared on the company's shop sign. This firm was no longer trading at these premises by 1752.