Cryes from the City of London

With the Olympics in full swing, there are certainly lots of cheers coming from the City of London, but what phrases might have been commonly heard in the 18th century? A little digging through the British Museum's online database easily answers this question thanks to the series of prints titled "Cries of London" and "Cryes of the City of London". (All descriptions are from the museum's website.)

PLATE 1

Milk Below Maids, Cries of London

A milkmaid standing by a doorway, with two pails by her feet; she hands a small pail of milk to two young children; street lamp, chimneys and horse-drawn carriage in the background. 1793

Accession Number 1940,1109.81

PLATE 2

Two Bunches a Penny, Cries of London

Flower sellers, a young woman and two small children, hold baskets and bunches of primroses on the street. 1793

Accession Number 1871,1209.595

PLATE 3

Sweet China Oranges, Cries of London

Two fashionably dressed women buy oranges from a man with two full baskets. 1794

Accession Number 1871,1209.596

PLATE 5

New mackerel, Cries of London

A fishwife standing on the left, selling fish to two women at their doorstep. 1795

Accession Number 1940,1109.84

PLATE 6

Knives, Scissars and Razors 

Cries of London

A knife grinder, speaking to two women, who hand him a pair of scissors. 1795

Accession Number 1940,1109.85

PLATE 7

Fresh Gathered Peas, Cries of London

Two men selling peas from a cart to a woman, who gathers the peas in her apron, and a young girl with a dog. 1795

Accession Number 1871,1209.600

PLATE 9

Delicate Cowcumbers to Pickle

The Cries of the City of London Drawne After the Life

A woman selling cucumbers from a basket carries on her head, a sheaf of grain under her left arm; from late series Cries of London, the plate considerably reworked with head, hat and neck changed and buckle replacing bows on her shoes. 1688, reworked and published after c.1750

Accession Number 1871,1209.3329

PLATE 19

Any Card Matches or Savealls

Cries of the City of London Drawne After the Life

A young match seller walking to right with basket over her right arm and her wares held in both hands, looking over her shoulder to left; from late series of Cries of London, the plate reworked. 1688, reworked and published after c.1750. 

Accession Number 1871,1209.3337

PLATE 24

Old shoees for some broomes

Cries of the City of London Drawne After the Life

A bearded street trader walking to the left with brooms on his back, tied to a stick held over his left shoulder; from late series of the Cries of London, the plate worn; lower right corner or original sheet missing. 1688, re-published after c.1750

Accession Number 1871,1209.3342

PLATE 43

Ripe Strawberries

The Cries of the City of London Drawne After the Life

A strawberry seller standing to front, carrying fruit on a large flat basket on her head, and punnets in her hands; from late series of the Cries of London, the plate considerably reworked with altered hat, neck and shoes. 1688, reworked and published after c.1750

Accession Number 1871,1209.3359

PLATE 45

The London Quaker

The Cries of the City of London Drawne After the Life, 1688-1821

A young Quaker girl standing with hands clasped at waist, a cloak in her right arm and wearing plain clothes with frilled sleeves and a scarf over her hair; from late series of the Cries of London, the plate worn. 1688, re-published after c.1750

Accession Number 1871,1209.3361

PLATE 56

Maids Buy a Mop 

The Cryes of the City of London Drawne after the Life

A mop seller standing in profile to left, balancing a bundle of mops on her head; from late series of the Cries of London, plate reworked with seller's hat and the title altered. 1688, reworked and published after c.1750

Accession Number 1871,1209.3372