Old Satten Old Taffety or Velvet

A woman makes her way through the streets of London selling second-hand fabric.

This print by Marcellus Laroon, is a from a series called 'Cryes of the City of London'. It was the first substantial print series to show London's street traders.

Although Laroon made the drawings, various engravers made the final prints. The set was reprinted countless times, a final edition appearing as late as 1821. They were the model on which later artists based their own Street Cries and even inspired a set of porcelain figurines.

Laroon’s figures are idealised types rather than individuals. Nevertheless, he included a wide section of street vendors from the prosperous to the down at heel.