The Baked Potato Man. "Baked 'taturs! All 'ot, all 'ot!"

Engraved illustration based on a photograph showing baked potato vendor. The vendor is standing behind his can, one arm resting on the handle, his hand reaching into the open can. The can consists of a tin with a half-lid, standing on four legs. An iron fire pot is suspended below the can holding the potatoes, and above the fire pot is a boiler for hot water concealed within the can to keep the potatoes hot. At one end of the can is a compartment for butter and salt and at the other a compartment for fresh charcoal. Above the boiler is a small pipe for carrying away the steam. Vendors often took great pride in their cans, and could be brightly polished, sometimes painted, and some were of brass with ornamental mountings and name plates. 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. 4 page 49.