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Mongers Collection

"Mongers: Portraits of London's Colorful Characters and Comical Conversations" Step back in time to the bustling streets of 18th-century London

Background imageMongers Collection: Itinerant Dealers in Dustable Ware, 1796 (hand-coloured etching)

Itinerant Dealers in Dustable Ware, 1796 (hand-coloured etching)
STC420687 Itinerant Dealers in Dustable Ware, 1796 (hand-coloured etching) by Cruikshank, George (1792-1878); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

Background imageMongers Collection: Tom and Bob among the coster mongers at a donkey cart race (coloured engraving)

Tom and Bob among the coster mongers at a donkey cart race (coloured engraving)
606998 Tom and Bob among the coster mongers at a donkey cart race (coloured engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageMongers Collection: Albert Chevalier - English Comedian and Actor

Albert Chevalier - English Comedian and Actor
Albert Onesime Britannicus Gwathveoyd Louis Chevalier (18611923) - English comedian and actor. Had a successful music hall career as a singer of coster songs of his own invention. Date: 1892

Background imageMongers Collection: Cockney Argument between a fat man and a thin man

Cockney Argument between a fat man and a thin man
Fat Party (after a War of words) - " If you come our court to-morrer and bring a bit o fat with yer, I ll bloomin well eat yer." !! Date: 1895

Background imageMongers Collection: London street scene - The Coster Girl

London street scene - The Coster Girl
A series of postcards showing women (in various jobs) in London - The Coster Girl.. Romanian-born sculptor and illustrator Alexander Popini served in the Royal Air Force during World War I

Background imageMongers Collection: Ironic Conversation between two Cockney men

Ironic Conversation between two Cockney men in an East London Boozer. " Who was t bloke I see yer speakin to larst night?" " Wot sort o bloke

Background imageMongers Collection: Cockney Comment on the purchase of a parrot

Cockney Comment on the purchase of a parrot
Two Pals outside a pub looking at a third bargaining for a parrot with a sailor outside a pub. " Why, es Missus jaws enough. Wot ds e want with a bloomin parrot." !! Date: 1895

Background imageMongers Collection: A couple of Cockney Loafers

A couple of Cockney Loafers. Date: circa 1890s

Background imageMongers Collection: A Cockney lady from Whitechapel, East London

A Cockney lady from Whitechapel, East London
A lovely drawing of a Cockney lady from Whitechapel, East London. Date: 1895

Background imageMongers Collection: Sailor Jack - popular with all the Cockney Women

Sailor Jack - popular with all the Cockney Women
They All Love Jack. A popular sailor, obviously a bit of a wow with the ladies, of which he likely has one in every port... Date: 1895

Background imageMongers Collection: Funny Cockney comment on a ladies neckwear

Funny Cockney comment on a ladies neckwear
Funny Cockney comment on a fellow Cockney ladies neckwear. " Ow Is y, look at er frills. Got erself hup like a bloomin am bone!" Date: 1900

Background imageMongers Collection: Smug Cockney woman who has nabbed her rivals Gent

Smug Cockney woman who has nabbed her rivals Gent
Jilted! A smug Cockney woman who has nabbed her rivals Gent, throws her a very satisfied glance! Date: circa 1890s

Background imageMongers Collection: Two Cockney Costers - one restraining a bulldog

Two Cockney Costers - one restraining a bulldog
Two young Cockney chaps, one of whom is having to restrain his Bulldog, who is obviously rather interested in something he has sniffed or spotted! Date: circa 1890s

Background imageMongers Collection: Two Cockney street Flowergirls

Two Cockney street Flowergirls
Two Cockney Flowergirls, not in their first bloom of youth - entitled (somewhat wickedly) " Sweet Violets" ! - caricature by Phil May. Date: 1897

Background imageMongers Collection: Two Cockneys discuss the pedigree of a dog

Two Cockneys discuss the pedigree of a dog
Two Cockneys discuss the (er..) pedigree of a dog! " Say, Bill, wots is pedigree?" Bill: " Why es by a porter out o a third class railway kerridge." !! Date: 1895

Background imageMongers Collection: Arriet - a good Cockney Girl in all of her finery

Arriet - a good Cockney Girl in all of her finery. Date: circa 1890s

Background imageMongers Collection: Cockney Couple on Hampstead Heath reading a magazine

Cockney Couple on Hampstead Heath reading a magazine
" The Upper Ten" - being read by a Cockney Couple (and their bulldog) under a tree on Hampstead Heath. A few bottles of ale have been consumed. Date: 1901

Background imageMongers Collection: Cockney couple off a day out at Margate

Cockney couple off a day out at Margate
Cockney couple in their finery - all ready to depart for a day out in Margate. Date: 1900

Background imageMongers Collection: Cockney Humour - temptation

Cockney Humour - temptation
Salvation Army Captain: " When the Serpent tempted Eve" Bill: " Oh Chuck it! There wanted no bloomin snake

Background imageMongers Collection: Two laughing young Cockney scamps

Two laughing young Cockney scamps Date: 1890s

Background imageMongers Collection: Cockneys visiting a Royal Navy Gunboat

Cockneys visiting a Royal Navy Gunboat
An Honest London Taxpayer wanting full value for his contributions! Visiting Day on a Gunboat. Arry: " Is the Captain in?" Jack: " Yes, hes aboard

Background imageMongers Collection: Cockney London Flowergirl sells buttonhole to city gent

Cockney London Flowergirl sells buttonhole to city gent
A Cockney London Flowergirl sells a buttonhole bouquet to a well-to-do city gentleman. Date: 1895

Background imageMongers Collection: Two Cockney Costers having a jovial chat

Two Cockney Costers having a jovial chat: " Wots th row up the Court, Bill?" " Bob Smith was kissing my Missus, and is Old Woman caught im!" Date: 1892

Background imageMongers Collection: Two Cockney ladies admiring an artist

Two Cockney ladies admiring an artist
Two Cockney ladies admiring (?) an artist and is bloomin at ! Date: 1895

Background imageMongers Collection: Happy Hampstead - Coster Saleswoman at Hampstead

Happy Hampstead - Coster Saleswoman at Hampstead Fair, who also seems quite open to offers for her noisy offspring! Date: 1899

Background imageMongers Collection: Cockney ladies discuss their romantic life

Cockney ladies discuss their romantic life
Two Cockney ladies discuss their romantic life - cartoon by Phil May. There appears to have been a muddle up between the word clandestine and the word incandescent

Background imageMongers Collection: Cockney Coster Woman - caricature by Phil May

Cockney Coster Woman - caricature by Phil May
" Shes just about the neatest, sweetest and prettiest Donah in the whole wide world" - lyrics to a Coster song by Albert Chevalier - caricature by Phil May Date: 1892

Background imageMongers Collection: Coster Cockney couple embracing on a park bench

Coster Cockney couple embracing on a park bench on Hampstead Heath. Date: 1890s

Background imageMongers Collection: Cockney lovers - marriage proposal on the grass

Cockney lovers - marriage proposal on the grass - " How do you fancy having awkins as your other name?!". Lyrics fom a coster song by Albert Chevalier. Date: 1898

Background imageMongers Collection: Costers and Cockneys. Having a straight conversation

Costers and Cockneys. Having a straight conversation! Date: 1895


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"Mongers: Portraits of London's Colorful Characters and Comical Conversations" Step back in time to the bustling streets of 18th-century London, where itinerant dealers known as "mongers" roamed with their dustable wares. In a hand-coloured etching from 1796, we catch a glimpse of these lively figures who brought life to the city. Join Tom and Bob as they immerse themselves among the coster mongers at an exhilarating donkey cart race. The coloured engraving captures their excitement and camaraderie, showcasing the vibrant spirit that defined these street vendors. In another scene, we encounter a captivating Coster Girl amidst a busy London street. Her confident demeanor reflects the resilience and determination of Cockney women who played an integral role in shaping East London's culture. Albert Chevalier, an English comedian and actor, takes center stage with his witty performances that delighted audiences across the city. His talent for portraying Cockney characters showcased their unique dialects and humorous interactions. Witness a cockney argument between a fat man and a thin man; their banter filled with playful jabs reveals both rivalry and friendship within this close-knit community. An ironic conversation between two Cockney men adds further amusement as they navigate everyday situations with clever wordplay. A hilarious comment on the purchase of a parrot showcases how even mundane activities became sources of entertainment for Cockneys. Their wit knew no bounds. Meet a couple of lovable loafers whose carefree attitude embodies the essence of being Cockney. With charm oozing from every pore, they bring laughter wherever they go. The portrait of a proud Cockney lady from Whitechapel introduces us to her world - one filled with strength, resilience, and unwavering loyalty to her roots. She stands tall amidst adversity while embracing her distinct identity. Sailor Jack emerges as another beloved character popular among Cockney women.