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Jock Gray - matches three a penny

Holt, Edward P., 1871, Watercolour
Jock Gray - matches three a penny
Jock Gray - matches three a penny
Jock Gray - matches three a penny
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Item no
11315
Title
Jock Gray - matches three a penny
Description
A match seller stands on an Edinburgh street and holds out his matchboxes towards passersby.

The poet, Donald Campbell has written a poem inspired by this character by Holt:

Jock Gray

The spunk-sellers* have had their day
and the Lucifer match has done away
with the stock-in-trade of poor Jock Gray.

He must move on, try to engage
another way to make a wage.
It won't be easy at his age.

It's very hard and, sad to say,
he can't get by another way.
Oh, what a shame for old Jock Gray!

*Spunks were forerunners of the friction match. They were sold on the street at three for a penny, by sellers like Jock Gray.
Artist / maker
Date
1871
Size
21.5 x 13 cm
Location
Edinburgh and Scottish Collection
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