Oyez, Oyez, Oyez!

LOST on Monday between Old Town Street & Union St, purse containing sovereigns…

This unusual and historic silhouette is a posthumous portrait of William Tucker town crier of Plymouth, a position he held for thirty-five years. Carrying two bells and dressed in his regalia of gilt-edged cloak and tricorn hat, he would have been a prominent figure on the city streets. On this particular day, as can be read on the handbill in his hand, he is proclaiming the lose of a purse containing sovereigns. No doubt there would have been a reward offered for its safe return.

A bell man or town crier spread the news at a time when many people could not read newspapers. The tradition dates back to the sixteenth century when Chester’s first bell man was paid one penny for ‘going for anything that is lost’ and four pennies for leading a funeral procession. An article in the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette (12 July 1828) records how the town crier, possibly our William Tucker, gave notice that Henry Broom — described as ‘a wretch in human shape’ — was intending to auction his wife. He subsequently sold her for one pound, much to the crowd’s anger and a riot broke out.

The silhouette is well painted and has a handsome sepia watercolour border. It is signed by John M.A. Tucker on the reverse and dated August 1850. Most likely the artist was related to the sitter. The silhouette is also neatly inscribed in watercolour along the bottom – WILLIAM TUCKER / Died Novr 1st, 1848. Aged 79. Being Town crier of the Borough of Plymouth 35 Years.

With a slight horizontal wrinkle to the paper but otherwise in fine condition, the silhouette is housed in a period dark wood frame.