Billhead, invoice

Copper-engraved billhead with handwritten invoice issued by the wholesale linen draper, D.H. Pugh located at 69 Gracechurch Street. Dated 25th May 1785 the invoice refers to the supply of fancy stripe patches and the completion of an order to the county draper John Thomas and company, located in Hinckley, Leicestershire. The firm of John Thomas & Company went out of business in 1787. Similarly to other county drapers they ordered cloth from London wholesalers, such as D.H. Pugh, who liaised directly with the cotton manufacturers. Many London wholesalers also had large showrooms where they would display their goods to attract retail trade.