Advert for RG Bell, cheesemonger & butterman

During the Victorian period, butter was stored in large square blocks on trays in markets and stores. Individual portions ('pats') of butter would be cut from this block in accordance with the customer's request. The large blocks of butter often had company names and logos pressed into them with a stamp while they were hardening, ensuring that particular butters were distinctive.

Cheese was less popular in polite society. Cream cheese aside, all cheeses were cheaper than butter and stayed fresh longer. Thus they were predominantly eaten by the working class.