The Lamplighter's poem

Christmas greetings broadside entitled 'The Lamplighter's poem humbly presented to all his worthy masters & mistresses composed by a lamplighter'. Such sheets printed with verses in the first person, as if written by the lamplighter himself were a Christmas tradition from the late 18th century. Delivered to householders within the lamplighter's area of responsibility just before Christmas, in the hope that a financial 'tip' would be given in appreciation of the services provided by him throughout the year they were often hung in houses as seasonal decorations. The verses in this broadside, printed in two columns outline some of the duties and hazards faced by lamplighters whilst the last verse offers a direct appeal to householders that, as they sit round the fire eating their Christmas dinner of roast beef, plumb putting and beer they 'keep the industrious lamp-man in mind.' The broadside is illustrated with five woodcut engravings. In the centre is a large woodcut depicting the courtyard of the Guildhall showing a lamplighter having fallen from his ladder in collision with a coach and horses. The surrounding four smaller woodcuts depict the lamplighter's working day including carrying a ladder, lighting a lamp and falling from a ladder.