Billingsgate Collection

Billinsgate Porters
circa 1925: Fish porters at Billingsgate market with their flat hats which help them balance the crates on their heads. (Photo by General Photographic Agency/Getty Images)

Porters at Billingsgate Fish Market, London, c. 1950
Photograph showing a group of porters outside Billingsgate Fish Market in London, c.1950. The porters are shown carrying crates of fish on their heads. Date: c.1950

Billingsgate Market / R&p
BILLINGSGATE FISH MARKET A busy day at the largest fish market in the East End of London

London - Billingsgate Fish Market - Standing amid the catch
Oh My Cod! London - Billingsgate Fish Market - Standing amid the catch. Date: circa 1908

Billingsgate Fish Market

Billingsgate Fish Market, 1808, (1944). Creators: Thomas Rowlandson, Augustus Charles Pugin
Billingsgate Fish Market, 1808, (1944). View of the old open-air fish market on the banks of the River Thames in the City of London. Fresh fish was landed and sold directly on the dockside

Billingsgate Fish Market - Fresh Haddock
Fresh Haddock brought to Billingsgate Fish Market in London on large wagons Date: 1912

Billingsgate / Staniland
Bringing in the days catch and setting out the fish at BILLINGSGATE market

Billingsgate Market 1598
Billingsgate fish market

Billingsgate Fishwife
A fishwife of Billingsgate, Londons fish market

Skeleton of death aiming a dart at a Billingsgate fishwoman
5893178 Skeleton of death aiming a dart at a Billingsgate fishwoman.; (add.info.: Skeleton of death aiming a dart at a Billingsgate fishwoman with a basket on her head. Death and the Fishwoman)

Lady Caroline Lamb and King George IV's mistress Marchioness of Conyngham arguing with a foul-mouthed fish wife at
FLO4618931 Lady Caroline Lamb and King George IV's mistress Marchioness of Conyngham arguing with a foul-mouthed fish wife at Billingsgate fish market

Billingsgate Ward

Billingsgate Ward and Bridge Ward

Billingsgate Ridden By P.Holley 23 March 1999 Date: 23 March 1999

The Thames outside Billingsgate (engraving)
5212925 The Thames outside Billingsgate (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Thames outside Billingsgate)

London 1616, London 1890 (engraving)
1038629 London 1616, London 1890 (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: London 1616, London 1890)

Opening of the Oyster Market, Billingsgate (engraving)
1100677 Opening of the Oyster Market, Billingsgate (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Opening of the Oyster Market, Billingsgate)

Brewer, Dorchester Beer, trade card (engraving)
984053 Brewer, Dorchester Beer, trade card (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Brewer, Dorchester Beer)

Old Billingsgate (engraving)
582211 Old Billingsgate (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Old Billingsgate.); Look and Learn / Peter Jackson Collection; English, out of copyright

North East view of Billingsgate (engraving)
582210 North East view of Billingsgate (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: North East view of Billingsgate)

Billingsgate Market, the Fish Sold by Auction (engraving)
582206 Billingsgate Market, the Fish Sold by Auction (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Billingsgate Market, the Fish Sold by Auction)

Two views of London: 1616 and 1890 (engraving)
602580 Two views of London: 1616 and 1890 (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Two views of London)

Billingsgate, Landing the Fish, from London, a Pilgrimage
STC377544 Billingsgate, Landing the Fish, from London, a Pilgrimage, written by William Blanchard Jerrold (1826-94) & engraved by Hildibrand, pub

Photograph of Yarmouth Arms, Old Billingsgate, London. The main side of the print (shown here) depicts: Left Face on view of the pub

Old Kings Head & Mermaid PH, Billingsgate, London. The main side of the print (shown here) depicts: Left Face on view of the pub

Londons Tideway (engraving)
1597695 Londons Tideway (engraving) by Loye, Charles Auguste (Montbard) (1841-1905); Private Collection; (add.info.: Londons Tideway. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 17 July 1897)

New London Bridge, Billingsgate and the Scavenger. New London Bridge built by John Rennie in 1825 4, Billingsgate fish market 5 and Scavengers with horse and cart cleaning the streets 6

Countrymen on a stage coach, the Monument and Pie Corner. Four-horse stage coach in front of Saint Pauls Cathedral 1, the Monument to the Fire of London in Fish Street Hill 2

Skeleton of death aiming a dart at a Billingsgate fishwoman with a basket on her head. Death and the Fishwoman. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Joshua Gleadah after an illustration by

Skeleton of death aiming a dart at a nightwatchman
Skeleton of death aiming a dart at a London nightwatchman with lantern and cudgel. Death and the Watchman. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Joshua Gleadah after an illustration by Benedictus

"Fish Fags"(pen, w / c & pencil on paper)
NP125755 " Fish Fags" (pen, w/c & pencil on paper) by Rowlandson, Thomas (1756-1827); 12.7x18.4 cm; Private Collection; English, out of copyright

8 vignettes depicting eloquence, published by Hannah Humphrey in 1795
NCO191281 8 vignettes depicting eloquence, published by Hannah Humphrey in 1795 (hand-coloured etching) by Gillray, James (1757-1815); Courtesy of the Warden and Scholars of New College

New London Bridge, Billingsgate and the Scavenger
6340335 New London Bridge, Billingsgate and the Scavenger by Taylor, Isaac (1730-1807); (add.info.: New London Bridge, Billingsgate and the Scavenger)

Fish auction, Billingsgate Market, London
Fish auction at Billingsgate Market, London. 1884

New Billingsgate Market (engraving)
582200 New Billingsgate Market (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: New Billingsgate Market.); Look and Learn / Peter Jackson Collection; English

New London Bridge, from Billingsgate (low water) drawn 31 July 1832 (engraving)
610845 New London Bridge, from Billingsgate (low water) drawn 31 July 1832 (engraving) by Cooke, Edward William (1811-80); Private Collection; (add.info.: New London Bridge)

Debarquement Du Poisson A Billing s-Gate (engraving)
3650283 Debarquement Du Poisson A Billing s-Gate (engraving) by Dore, Gustave (1832-83) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Debarquement Du Poisson A Billing s-Gate)

Roman remains found in Billingsgate (engraving)
3636278 Roman remains found in Billingsgate (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Roman remains found in Billingsgate)

Billingsgate, from a view taken in 1820 (engraving)
3636276 Billingsgate, from a view taken in 1820 (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Billingsgate, from a view taken in 1820)

Volunteer Types a Hundred Years Ago (engraving)
1592289 Volunteer Types a Hundred Years Ago (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Volunteer Types a Hundred Years Ago)

Billingsgate market, from the river 1868
Exterior of Billingsgate market, view from the River Thames of boats arriving in with the nights catch. Date: 1868

Arrival of the mackerel boats 1868
Fishermen bringing in the catch of mackerel hours before dawn, arriving on the River Thames to be sold at Billingsgate market, in the 1860s it was estimated that 25, 000

Scene near Billingsgate Fish Market, City of London. Date: circa 1930s

Billingsgate, 1859 (etching and drypoint)
1066891 Billingsgate, 1859 (etching and drypoint) by Whistler, James Abbott McNeill (1834-1903); 15.2x22.9 cm; Dallas Museum of Art, Texas, USA; Junior League Print Fund; American, out of copyright

Map of Billingsgate and Bridge wards, London (engraving)
983922 Map of Billingsgate and Bridge wards, London (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Map of Billingsgate and Bridge wards)

The Frost, the Thames at Billingsgate (engraving)
1602005 The Frost, the Thames at Billingsgate (engraving) by Weedon, Edwin (1819-79); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Frost, the Thames at Billingsgate)

A Victorian Fish Market
3793251 A Victorian Fish Market by Dore, Gustave (1832-83); (add.info.: A fish market. Billingsgate. Engraving by Gustave Dore, from London, a Pilgrimage, by Gustave Dore and Blanchard Jerrold, 1872)

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Billingsgate: A Historic Fish Market and its Vibrant Porters Standing amid the catch at Billingsgate Fish Market in London, one can witness a bustling scene filled with energy and tradition. The porters of Billingsgate, known for their strength and expertise, have been an integral part of this iconic market since its inception. Dating back to 1598, Billingsgate Market has long served as the hub for fish trade in the city. Over the years, it has become synonymous with fresh seafood and a vibrant atmosphere that draws locals and tourists alike. The market's rich history is intertwined with the growth of London itself. In c. 1950, a photograph captures porters at work in their distinctive attire - sturdy men adorned in white smocks carrying heavy loads of fish on their shoulders or pushing carts through narrow aisles. These dedicated individuals play a crucial role in ensuring that each customer leaves satisfied with their purchase. The variety of fish available at Billingsgate is astounding; from succulent haddock to exotic catches from distant shores, there is something to please every palate, and is no wonder that chefs and restaurateurs flock here daily to secure the freshest ingredients for their culinary creations. Beyond its significance as a marketplace, Billingsgate holds historical importance as well. Located within both Billingsgate Ward and Bridge Ward, it stands as a testament to London's past trading prowess along the River Thames. This area was once home to thriving merchants who dealt not only in fish but also other commodities essential for city life. As we delve into the world of "Billinsgates, " we uncover stories about hardworking fishwives who would sell their wares alongside seasoned traders – strong women whose resilience matched that of any porter or merchant they encountered. Today, while modernization may have altered some aspects of this historic institution, visiting Billingsgate still offers an authentic experience like no other – where tradition meets the bustling energy of a thriving market.