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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

Very small business

Under the ‘Old Poor Law’, people begging on the streets could be arrested, so to avoid punishment, they often pretended to commerce, offering the most marginal of goods and services.

More information on Very small business

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Match man, Salisbury by John Dempsey
Match man, Salisbury by John Dempsey
Match woman, c.1823 by John Dempsey
Match woman, c.1823 by John Dempsey
Billy the match man, Liverpool, 1844 by John Dempsey
Billy the match man, Liverpool, 1844 by John Dempsey
Match woman, Woolwich,1824 by John Dempsey
Match woman, Woolwich,1824 by John Dempsey
Crossing-sweeper, London by John Dempsey
Crossing-sweeper, London by John Dempsey
Charles McGee, crossing sweeper, London, c. 1824 by John Dempsey
Charles McGee, crossing sweeper, London, c. 1824 by John Dempsey
Beggar, Durham by John Dempsey
Beggar, Durham by John Dempsey
Blind beggar, Woolwich, 1824 by John Dempsey
Blind beggar, Woolwich, 1824 by John Dempsey
Mark Custings, known as Blind Peter, and his boy, Norwich, 1823 by John Dempsey
Mark Custings, known as Blind Peter, and his boy, Norwich, 1823 by John Dempsey
9 images
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Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

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