A View in Rosemary Lane

Engraved illustration showing street sellers of second hand boots and shoes. A male and a female figure are shown, each carrying a pair of boots, gesturing to the array of boots and shoes displayed around them. Two other figures are shown in conversation in the background, against a building bearing the sign 'East London Bazaar'. Rosemary Lane was an area associated with street trade, particularly in second hand articles for the poor such as clothing, furniture, china and metal goods. It was frequented by dock workers, along with poorer members of the Irish and the Jewish comminities. It has since been renamed Royal Mint Street. The illustration was published in Henry Mayhew's 'London Labour and the London Poor: The condition of those that will work, cannot work, and will not work', Vol. 1., 'London Street-Folk', first published in 1861. No. 27page 417.