The Oyster Stall. "Penny a lot, Oysters! Penny a lot."

Engraved illustration based on a photograph showing an oyster seller with his street stall. The vendor wears a top hat, torn overcoat and a cravat, with a rough apron over his trousers, holding an oyster knife. A customer wearing a top hat, shirt sleeves rolled up, waistcoat and trousers, stands by the stall eating an oyster. Discarded empty shells lie around the stall. The stall consists of a folding table, on which sits a pail containing the oysters, a pepper pot and a small bottle of vinegar. Oysters were a popular food for the poor. 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. 3 page 33.