Vinegar Valentines For Tradesmen
This selection from the Mike Henbrey collection of mocking Valentines at Bishopsgate Institute illustrates the range of tradespeople singled out for hate mail in the Victorian era. Nowadays we despise, Traffic Wardens, Estate Agents, Bankers, Cowboy Builders and Dodgy Plumbers but in the nineteenth century, judging from this collection, Bricklayers, Piemen, Postmen, Drunken Policemen and Cobblers were singled out for vitriol.
Bricklayer
Wood Carver
Drayman
Mason
Pieman
Tax Collector
Sailor
Bricklayer
Trunk Maker
Tailor
Omnibus Conductor
Puddler
Postman
Plumber
Soldier
Policeman
Pieman
Policeman
Cobbler
Railway Porter
House Painter
Haberdasher
Basket Maker
Baker
Housemaid
Guardsman
Chambermaid
Postman
Milliner
Carpenter
Cobbler
Images courtesy The Mike Henbrey Collection at Bishopsgate Institute
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At a rough count, cobblers seem to have a nose’s lead in the hate stakes over bricklayers and the Filth. I’m surprised the tax collector appears only once (though I suppose his financial prospects for a hopeful young lady appeared to be quite promising).
And where’s the night-soil man?
I see the tax man, but surprised not to see a lawyer or politician…
Always interesting to catch a glimpse into these corners of the past. Your ‘peddler’ is actually a puddler though – the worker in an ironworks who ‘puddled’ brittle cast iron, transforming it into workable iron bars. The whole Industrial Revolution was pretty much founded on his skill, so the poor man really deserved better than a valentine like this!
wonderful pix.
typo: that is a puddler
Lots of vitriol in days begone. Only the landed gentry were spared.
Can’t be pleasant times for vast majority. A boat to Van Dieman’s land seems almost tempting…