Rone

In the 18th century, many shopkeepers and tradesmen advertised their goods and services to the public through printed, illustrated trade cards.

This trade card's design is similar to others of the mid 18th century. It includes a rococo frame containing the name, address and a short text describing the business and products of the tradesman. The frame is supplemented by a number of small illustrations of examples of the products retailed. On this trade card, there is a portrait of the tradesmen himself which is unusual alongside his manufacturing equipment, a still for making usquebaugh and other spirits.

Rone, a distiller from Dublin, specialised in producing usquebaugh, a popular Irish or Scottish cordial. The word usquebaugh is Gaelic for 'water of life'. It is a type of whisky or brandy flavoured with spices.

London supported a large Irish community in the 18th century. Many were labourers and porters working in the port and building trades and others were weavers and tailors. Some established their own businesses such as the distiller, Rone, or were merchants based in the City of London.

The engraver Robert Clee is known to have produced a number of trade cards including that of Maydwell and Windle, glass sellers, and Richard Sidall, the chemist. He, also, engraved designs on silver items.