The London Costermonger. "Here Pertaters! Kearots and Turnips! fine Brockello-o-o!"

'The London Costermonger. "Here Pertaters! Kearots and Turnips! fine Brockello-o-o!"'. Engraved illustration based on a photograph showing a costermonger and his boy with a donkey cart. The costermonger is standing on the cart, holding a stick in one hand and the donkey reins in the other. He wears a cap tipped to one side, a double-breasted waistcoat with metal buttons and a coat, with long trousers almost covering his boots. The cart is laden with an assortment of vegetables. Beside the cart stands a small boy in a soft cap. The illustration appeared 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. Mayhew estimated that there were around 30,000 men, women and children working as costermongers in London at the time of writing. No. 1.