A copy of the verses for the year 1832 presented to the Parish of St George's Bloomsbury

Christmas greetings sheet or 'bellman's verse' conveying the good wishes of John Wright, beadle, bellman and summonsing officer for Coroner's inquest to the inhabitants of his parish of St George's Bloomsbury. The broadside is printed with verses for the coming year, 1832 and decorated with a border of 6 woodcut engravings depicting Christmas scenes including a family eating plum pudding, street entertainers and a female householder giving a bellman his Christmas tip. The sheet is headed with a woodcut of a floral garland and a illustration depicting a bellman and a beadle. Below is woodcut of couples dancing during the festive season. Each of the verses has a different theme- some referring to the yearly calendar such as festivals and saints days with others addressed to the King, Queen, lads and lasses and masters and mistresses.

Such broadsides were delivered to householders within the bellman's area of responsibility just before Christmas, in the hope that a financial 'tip' or token would be given in appreciation of the services provided by the bellman throughout the year. The bellman would also often also recite the verses aloud as he walked through the streets. The sheets were often hung in houses as seasonal decorations. Bellmen were Parish officers responsible for making public announcements in the streets.