Card, trade card

Copper-engraved trade card advertising the business of Henry Hastings, nightman and poleman located in Envers Street, near the Two Brewers in Gravel Lane, Southwark. The card includes two vignettes showing illustrations of carriages removing night soil. Below is printed a list of services provided by Hastings including the emptying of vaults and cesspools, the cleaning of drains and funnels and the digging and cleaning of wells. The card also notes 'I have the new invented machine carts for the quick dispatch of business'. Henry Hastings claimed King George III to be among his clients. The lack of building number on the address suggests this card was printed before the Act of 1766 that introduced house numbering and prohibited trade signs extending over the street.