An English Regency copper trade sign from Lincolnshire c. 1815

Mary Holywell, Milliner, wife of  a wine merchant, ran her business from the High Street in Spalding, Lincolnshire, England.  Mrs Holywell liked to bring the finest fashions from London to the provincial town of Spalding - in 1818 she advertises the fact in the local newspaper the Stamford Mercury (see image).

Mary was married to Edward Holywell and they had a son Frederic born in 1824.   Edward’s partner as a wine merchant was a J. Mills had been dissolved by 1828.    Could he be the same Edward Holywell of Spalding who is arrested for assaulting a constable but later acquitted?

The delightful Regency copper trade sign, in untouched original condition, with signs of verdigris,  would have adorned the door of Mary Holywell’s shop.   How lovely it would have been to step inside and see the latest Regency fashions.......

Sometimes it defies belief that someone would have taken the time to preserve such as functional item - and we are rather glad they did.

Measuring 21.5 cm x 9.75 cm

Lincolnshire, England, c. 1815