Muffin seller

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  • Intro

    Though wining and dining was fashionable among the wealthy, eating out was possible for even the poorest members of 18th-century society. Most towns had a range of cook-shops and taverns where meals could be bought cheaply and drinks such as coffee and chocolate could be consumed. By mid-century there were perhaps 50,000 inns and taverns in Britain catering to all manner of customers. This is an advertisement for a baker named John Osgood, selling his wares at the Crown and Muffin in London's Lombard Street.

     

    Shelfmark: C191c.16.

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  • Transcript

    Muffin seller advertisement

    Original text:

     

    JOHN OSGOOD,

    At the Crown and Muffin Lombard Street, opposite the Post-Office,

    MAKES and seels Yorkshire Muffins, Pykelets, or Tea-Cakes, made in the cleanest and neatest Manner, where Gentlemen, Ladies, and others, may be supplied with them from Six o'Clock in the Morning till Ten at Night. Likewise seels wholesale or retail, the finest Hertfordshire White, or which my Muffins are entirely made; also Peas, Oatmela, and the finest Flour of Durham Mustard-Seed.

    Note, Whereas several Complaints have been made sent me from Families of Distinction, that Persons have carried and sold Stuff made in Imitation of my Muffins, and in my Name, very much to my Prejudice, particularly by a Woman; this is to satisfy the Publick, that my good are not sold to any that carry them about to dispose of again, and to do myself Justice, am resolv'd to prosecute all Pretenders to this Branch of Business.

    Whoever discovers any Person hawking them about the City, not being free thereof, so that they may be had before a Magistrate, shall have a Crown Reward.

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