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The Lamplighter, Watchman and Link-boy
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The Lamplighter, Watchman and Link-boy
The Lamplighter, Watchman and Link-boy. London lamplighter with ladder and fuse lighting streetlamps 55, watchman in great coat with lantern and rattle 56, and link-boy with torch guiding a couple along a dark alley 57. Woodcut engraving after an illustration by Isaac Taylor from City Scenes, or a Peep into London, by Ann Taylor and Jane Taylor, published by Harvey and Darton, Gracechurch Street, London, 1828. English sisters Ann and Jane Taylor were prolific Romantic poets and writers of childrens books in the early 19th century
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Media ID 23392156
© Florilegius
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This woodcut engraving, titled 'The Lamplighter, Watchman, and Link-boy,' is an exquisite illustration from 'City Scenes, or a Peep into London,' published by Harvey and Darton in 1828. The English sisters Ann and Jane Taylor, renowned Romantic poets and children's book writers, penned the text for this educational and entertaining work. The engraving showcases three distinct trades of 19th-century London: the lamplighter, the watchman, and the link-boy. The lamplighter, depicted in the foreground, is seen climbing a ladder to light the gas lamps along the street. His sedan chair, a common mode of transportation for the elite at the time, is parked nearby. In the middle ground, a watchman, bundled up in a great coat, holds a lantern and rattle, keeping a watchful eye over the city. He is a symbol of safety and security, ensuring the peace and order of the urban landscape. In the background, a link-boy guides a couple with a torch through a dark alley. The couple, likely on their way home from a night out, are shown in a sedan chair. The link-boy's role was essential in guiding pedestrians through the dimly lit streets, making this scene a quintessential representation of 19th-century London life. Additional details in the engraving include a milkmaid carrying a yoke of pails, sailors on a ship, a woman riding side-saddle on a horse, an old beggar with a peg leg, and various other intriguing characters. The richly detailed woodcut offers a fascinating glimpse into the history, trades, and daily life of London during this period.
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