"New Mackrel": An Engraving From the 18th Century Series 'The Cries of London', 1795

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This is a beautifully framed engraving, printed in colors with additional hand coloring, from the famous "Cries of London" series, … Read more This is a beautifully framed engraving, printed in colors with additional hand coloring, from the famous "Cries of London" series, depicting the lives and professions of the common people of 18th century London, who worked the streets, hawking their wares. This engraving from the series entitled: "New Mackrel, New Mackrel, Maquerux Maquereux Frais et Gros", Plate No. 5 was engraved by Niccolo Schiavonetti after a painting by Francis Wheatley and published by Colnaghi & Co. in 1795 in London.

"New Mackrel" depicts a fishwife standing on the left, selling fish to two women at their doorstep. The commonest and most popular fish to be sold by the eighteenth century hawkers was the mackerel. Probably because the fish would not keep as long as others, mackerel-sellers were granted the special privelege of selling their wares on Sundays. The cry of the fish sellers was often "Mackrel, mackrel new, Buy my fresh mackrel, mackrel new, four for a shilling fine mackrel fine, new mackrel, mackrel new.", which was the cheapest price. At the start of the season, mackerel were often much more expensive, selling for more than a shilling each.

This engraving is framed in an ornate gold-colored wood frame with double mats; a light beige silk outer mat and a teal blue inner mat. The frame measures 21.75" x 17.5" x 1.07". There is a small spot in the upper right margin and another in the left upper portion of the image, but it is otherwise in excellent condition". See less