Retail Occupation Collection

Algerian Piracy
1st May 1681, The peaceful merchant ship Kingfisher being attacked by Algerian pirates. Original Artwork: Piracy by Monamy (Photo by Rischgitz/Getty Images)

Island of Principe Historical Map by Van Noort, Circa 1598
Very Rare, Beautifully Illustrated Antique Engraved Victorian Illustration of Historical Map of Van Noort at the Island of Principe, 1598. Copyright has expired on this artwork. Digitally restored

Engraving of Van Noort Landing in Manila Bay, Philippines, 1600
Very Rare, Beautifully Illustrated Antique Engraved Victorian Illustration of Historical Engraving of Van Noort Landing in Manila Bay, Philippines, 1600. Copyright has expired on this artwork

Canterbury Tales - The Merchant
The Merchant, a character in " The Canterbury Tales", a collection of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer at the end of the 14th century

Worshipful Company of Mercers armorial
This is the coat of arms of the Worshipful Company of Mercers, as presented in a publication dated around 1800. The Worshipful Companies are trade associations based in the City of London

La Fontaines Fables - Earthen Pot and the Iron
Vintage engraving from La Fontaines Fables, Illustraed by Gustave Dore. The Earthen Pot and the Iron Pot

La Fontaines Fables - The Charlatan
Vintage engraving from La Fontaines Fables, Illustraed by Gustave Dore. The Charlatan. A dishonest merchant tries to sell a sick donkey at market

La Fontaines Fables - Bashaw and the Merchant
Vintage engraving from La Fontaines Fables, Illustraed by Gustave Dore. The Bashaw and the Merchant

Victorian London - Billingsgate Market
" Vintage engraving showing a scene from 19th Century London England. Billingsgate Fish Market in the morning, Billingsgate was the largest fish market in the world in the Victorian era."

Victorian London - Rag merchants home
" Vintage engraving showing a scene from 19th Century London England. Rag merchants home Coulston Street, Whitechapel, circa 1870."

Victorian London - Lemonade Vendor
Vintage engraving showing a scene from 19th Century London England. A character sketch of a selling lemonade on the street

La Fontaines Fables - Cobbler and the Banker
Vintage engraving from La Fontaines Fables, Illustraed by Gustave Dore. The Cobbler and the Banker

Victorian London - Match Seller
Vintage engraving showing a scene from 19th Century London England. Character sketch of an old man selling matches on the street circa 1870

Victorian London - Second hand clothes market
" Vintage engraving showing a scene from 19th Century London England. Second hand clothes market Gloucester Street, New Cut circa 1870."

Shop of Castro the Butcher
Vintage engraving of of the Shop of Castro the Butcher at Wagga Wagga, Australia. The Graphic, 1874. The Tichborne case was a legal cause celebre that captivated Victorian England in the 1860s

Farming Couple
Vintage engraving by Albrech Durer, showing a farmer and his wife selling their produce, 1512

Worshipful Company of Drapers armorial
This is the coat of arms of the Worshipful Company of Drapers, as presented in a publication dated around 1800. The Worshipful Companies are trade associations based in the City of London

The Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare engraving 1870

William Hogarths The Pieman
Vintage engraving of William Hogarths Illustration The Pieman, 18th century street vendor carrying a tray of pies on his head

The Laughing Audience, cheap seats at the theatre, by William Hogarth
Vintage engraving of The Laughing Audience, by William Hogarth. The caricatured audience in the cheap seats is watching an exaggeratedly funny play

Coat of arms copperplate 17th century Reynell and White
This image is from a copperplate engraving, and shows part of a roll of arms from Richard Blome s

Coat of arms 17th century British company heraldry
This image is from a copperplate engraving, and shows part of a roll of arms from Richard Blomes Britannia, an atlas published in 1673

Illustration of ancient Indian caste system showing Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishya, and Sudras

Engraving of Van Noort Sailing the Marianne Islands, 1600
Very Rare, Beautifully Illustrated Antique Engraved Victorian Illustration of Historical Engraving of Van Noort Sailing the Marianne Islands, 1600. Copyright has expired on this artwork

The Philadelphia Stock Exchange
Engraving by William Henry Bartlett shows pedestrian and horsecart traffic on the street in front of the Merchants Exchange Building, home of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange

Jan Huygen van Linschoten Dutch Navigation, Victorian Illustration
Very Rare, Beautifully Illustrated Antique Engraved Victorian Illustration of Jan Huygen van Linschoten. Copyright has expired on this artwork. Digitally restored

Charles Dickens Hard Times A touch upon his arm
Vintage engraving from Charles Dickens Hard Times. He felt a touch upon his arm

Dickenss Dombey and Son - a woman selling flowers
Vintage engraving of a scene from Charles Dickens Dombey and Son. Before they had gone very far, they encountered a woman selling flowers; when the Captain, stopping short

Bouquet seller in the market, New Orleans 19th Century
Vintage engraving of a Bouquet seller in the market, New Orleans 19th Century

French Vegetable Market, New Orleans, 19th Century
Vintage engraving of the French Vegetable Market, New Orleans, 19th Century

French Meat Market, New Orleans, 19th Century
Vintage engraving of the French Meat Market, New Orleans, 19th Century

Portrait of Marco Polo Engraving, 1254-1324
Beautifully Illustrated Antique Engraved Victorian Illustration of a Portrait of Marco Polo Engraving, 1254-1324. Source: Kristofer Columbus, Lefnad Och Resor (Christopher Columbus)

History of Fashion, 18th Century Marchande de Rubans
Vintage engraving of a French MMarchande de Rubans (Ribbon seller), 1774, 18th Century

History of Fashion Marchand de mise en couleur sans frottage
Vintage engraving of a Marchand de mise en couleur sans frottage, 19th Century

Trading In Levant-15th Century
Illustration of a Medieval Merchants trading In Levant-15th Century

Tobacco smoker in 17th Century
illustration of a Tobacco smoker in 17th Century

Rio de Janeiro Historical Map by Van Noort, Circa 1598
Very Rare, Beautifully Illustrated Antique Engraved Victorian Illustration of Historical Map of Van Noort at Rio de Janeiro, 1598. Copyright has expired on this artwork. Digitally restored

Porto Deseado Historical Map by Van Noort, Circa 1598
Very Rare, Beautifully Illustrated Antique Engraved Victorian Illustration of Historical Map of Van Noort at Porto Deseado, 1598. Copyright has expired on this artwork. Digitally restored

Strait of Magellan Map by Van Noort, Circa 1599
Very Rare, Beautifully Illustrated Antique Engraved Victorian Illustration of Historical Map of Van Noort at the Strait of Magellan, 1599. Copyright has expired on this artwork. Digitally restored

Van Noort Sailing the Strait of Magellan, Engraving of 1600
Very Rare, Beautifully Illustrated Antique Engraved Victorian Illustration of Historical Engraving of Van Noort Sailing the Strait of Magellan, 1600. Copyright has expired on this artwork

Van Noort Sailing the Marianne Islands, Engraving 1600
Very Rare, Beautifully Illustrated Antique Engraved Victorian Illustration of Historical Engraving of Van Noort Sailing the Marianne Islands, 1600. Copyright has expired on this artwork

Van Noort Attacked by Theives on the Marianne Islands, 1600
Very Rare, Beautifully Illustrated Antique Engraved Victorian Illustration of Historical Engraving of Van Noort Attacked by Thieives on the Marianne Islands, 1600

Map of Van Noort at the Strait of Magellan, 1599
Very Rare, Beautifully Illustrated Antique Engraved Victorian Illustration of Historical Map of Van Noort at the Strait of Magellan, 1599. Copyright has expired on this artwork. Digitally restored

Historical Map of Van Noort at Porto Deseado, 1598
Very Rare, Beautifully Illustrated Antique Engraved Victorian Illustration of Historical Map of Van Noort at Porto Deseado, 1598. Copyright has expired on this artwork. Digitally restored

Historical Map of Van Noort at Rio de Janeiro, 1598
Very Rare, Beautifully Illustrated Antique Engraved Victorian Illustration of Historical Map of Van Noort at Rio de Janeiro, 1598, from The Golden Book of the Dutch Navigators

Historical Map of Van Noort at the Island of Principe, 1599
Very Rare, Beautifully Illustrated Antique Engraved Victorian Illustration of Historical Map of Van Noort at the Island of Principe, from The Golden Book of the Dutch Navigators

Oliver Van Noort Dutch Navigator, Victorian Illustration, 1558-1622
Very Rare, Beautifully Illustrated Antique Engraved Victorian Illustration of Oliver Van Noort Dutch Navigator, Victorian Illustration, 1558-1622. Copyright has expired on this artwork

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Exploring the Rich History of Retail Occupation: From Algerian Piracy to Victorian London" Step into a time machine and embark on a fascinating journey through the centuries, as we unravel the captivating history of retail occupation. Our adventure begins with Algerian piracy, where merchants braved treacherous waters in search of exotic goods that would captivate customers' imaginations. Next, we set sail for the Island of Principe, guided by Van Noort's historical map from 1598. This intricate cartographic masterpiece reveals how early retailers navigated uncharted territories to establish trade routes and expand their businesses. As our voyage continues, an engraving transports us to Manila Bay in 1600. Here, we witness Van Noort's landing and glimpse into the bustling world of Philippine commerce during this era. Delving deeper into retail's past, we encounter the Worshipful Company of Mercers armorial emblem - a symbol representing honor and prestige among medieval traders. These merchants played a vital role in shaping economies and societies across Europe. Drawing inspiration from La Fontaine's timeless fables, such as "The Earthen Pot and The Iron, " "The Charlatan, " and "Bashaw and The Merchant, " we learn valuable lessons about integrity, deceitfulness, and negotiation strategies that have influenced retail practices throughout history. Our expedition takes us back to Victorian London - a vibrant city teeming with markets like Billingsgate Market where fishmongers bartered their catch-of-the-day. We also catch glimpses into rag merchants' humble homes while discovering lemonade vendors quenching thirsts amidst bustling streets. La Fontaine strikes again with his fable "The Cobbler and The Banker, " reminding us that even seemingly unrelated occupations can intersect within the realm of retail. Cobblers relied on bankers for financial support while contributing to local economies through their craftmanship. Finally, our time-traveling escapade concludes with a glimpse into the life of a match seller in Victorian London.