Hymen's Evening Post

Songsheet printed with the words of the popular comic song 'Hymen's Evening Post.' The song, referring to the life of a bachelor, was popularised by the singer Mr Dignum who regularly performed at Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. Printed on September 23rd 1796 this was one in a series of popular songs published by John Marshall in the 1790s. The songsheet is illustrated with a shield shaped woodcut depicting a street scene showing a newspaper seller blowing a horn.

Illustrated songsheets of popular songs sung at Vauxhall and other London pleasure gardens were mass printed and sold by street sellers. Primarily purchased by those attending the performance so they could sing along with the professional singers they were often kept as souvenirs, framed and used to decorate walls of homes.