Kirk's Grotto Toy Shop

John Kirk (1724-1776) was a medallist, seal (die engraver) and gem engraver of high repute. He ran his own business with the help of his brother Alexander at an apparently static address viz. 52 St Paul's Churchyard, where he also sold toys, dies (metal stamps) for tickets, tokens,keys, coat and sleeve buttons, seal handles and ornaments for jewellers' work. This medalet or token was made to advertise the business. The British Museum has a metal admission ticket made by Kirk for Ranelagh Pleasure Gardens in its collections. Toy makers and silversmiths like Kirk, whose production was based on novelties and small luxury objects, attempted to arouse curiosity by giving a 'shop window' quality to their advertising tokens. Kirk revealed his shop's richness through this advertisement. The brass token shows a shop interior, with a customer being served by a female shop attendant who is demonstrating toys for sale - see L. Forrer, Biographical dictionary of m-1, vol. 3 (London, Spink, 1907)