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A sticker-up of bills on Tower Hill at the rendezvous at the King's Arms, 1774 (watercolour)
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A sticker-up of bills on Tower Hill at the rendezvous at the King's Arms, 1774 (watercolour)
7341532 A sticker-up of bills on Tower Hill at the rendezvous at the King's Arms, 1774 (watercolour) by Bray, Gabriel (1750-1823); 21.6x18.4 cm; National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Creator: Gabriel Bray
The King's Arms on Tower Hill, London, was the City naval rendezvous, most significantly that for the local impress service, which included both voluntary recruitment and the 'press gang' when emergency required this. Recruits of both sorts were housed on the 'Enterprise', the name of a series of receiving ships moored off the Tower, before being shipped down to Sheerness and beyond by naval tenders. Whether this bill-sticker was specifically naval (for recruiting posters) is not clear, since there were many other sorts, but this anonymous portrait is an extraordinary record of a worker at one of the lowest levels of London life. He appears to be wearing a dilapidated fair wig on top of naturally dark hair. Since there are several October 1774 drawings in the Bray album which may be London subjects, it is possible Bray was at the King's Arms waiting for (free) passage by sea round to Portsmouth on one of the naval tenders, rather than taking the public coach. It is probable from other evidence that he was in fact in London by about the end of September.); © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Media ID 38341452
© © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London / Bridgeman Images
Class System Labouring Class Labouring Classes Mariners Movie Poster Penury Poors Posters Precariousness Proletarian Proletariat Recruit Recruiting Recruitment Sailoress Seaman Social Class Water Color Water Colour Watercolors Watercolour Paint Working Class 18e Siecle 18th Century 18th Centuries Art Fine Art
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This watercolor print by Gabriel Bray depicts a sticker-up of bills on Tower Hill at the rendezvous at the King's Arms in 1774. The King's Arms was a significant City naval meeting point, particularly for the impress service which involved both voluntary recruitment and the infamous 'press gang'. Recruits would be housed on ships like the 'Enterprise' before being sent off to serve in the navy.
The bill-sticker portrayed in this artwork is an anonymous figure, providing us with a glimpse into the everyday life of Londoners during this time period. He is depicted wearing a worn fair wig over his dark hair, showcasing his humble existence as one of London's working class.
It is unclear whether this bill-sticker was specifically posting naval recruitment posters or other advertisements, but regardless, he represents one of many individuals making their living through manual labor in bustling London. This piece serves as an extraordinary record of a worker at one of the lowest levels of society during that era.
Gabriel Bray's attention to detail and ability to capture ordinary moments in history make this print a valuable insight into daily life in 18th century London.
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