Billhead, invoice

Copper-engraved billhead with handwritten invoice issued by Thomas Bott, Umberella Maker (late apprentice & successor to Samuel Lund) located at Lund's original oil silk linen & umbrella warehouse, No 86 two doors from cecil street, nearly opposite Southampton Street, Strand. As umbrella supplier to the Prince of Wales, Bott is entitled to include an engraving of the Prince of Wales feathers on the billhead. The invoice dated 27th March 1793 refers to the supply of an umbrella. The billhead also notes that Bott supplies a 'great variety of patent hammer cloths' these being the cloths that covered coach boxes. The boxes held hammers, nails and other supplies that may be required in the event of the horse drawn coach or carriage having an accident. The cloths were often decorated as noted in the novel Vanity Fair 'Miss Osborne from Russell Square came in her grand chariot with the flaming hammer-cloth emblazoned with the Leeds arms.'