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Aug 19Liked by Paul Couchman

Lovely time travel to start the week.

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I’m SO pleased Maud.

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Aug 19Liked by Paul Couchman

My 3x great grandfather was a bookbinder in Clerkenwell. I wonder if he had a tradecard

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I’m sure he would have. It’s worth having a look on the British Museum website because many of these trade cards were quite similar. I adore Clerkenwell, btw, a marvellous part of London.

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Enjoyed the story and wonderful illustrations. The one for the grocery is so elaborate and packed with fine detail including a tiny horse tucked in at the bottom and a bee skep at the top. Not sure what the things are below the bee skep. Also impressive is the skill of the engraver - his fine and graceful lines. No doubt some inspiration comes from classical art. His artistry is a story in itself.

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