Billhead, invoice

Copper-engraved billhead with handwritten invoice issued by the woollen draper Henry Hirst located at 1 Charles Street, Covent Garden. Both the engraved and handwritten script is in English round hand. The billhead includes an engraving of the tradesman's sign of an eight pointed roundel that includes the draper's address. Dated September 1787 the invoice refers to the supply of goods including shalloon (used for linings) and drab to the retail drapery firm of John Thomas and Company located in Hinckley, Leicestershire. The firm went out of business in 1787,the same year as the order. Similarly to other county drapers J. Thomas and Co ordered cloth from London wholesalers, such as Henry Hirst, who liaised directly with the manufacturers. Many London wholesalers also had large showrooms where they would display their goods to attract retail trade.