Category Archives: commerce

The Royal Exchange

The Royal Exchange, a trapezoid-shaped structure, was opened by Queen Elizabeth I in 1571. Cornhill and Threadneedle Streets flank the exchange. The original building was destroyed by the Great Fire in 1666. It was rebuilt in 1669 and again destroyed … Continue reading

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Georgian Commerce: The London Docks, Part V

In Roman and medieval times, ships tended to dock at small quays in the present-day  city of London or Southwark an area known as the Pool of London. However, this gave no protection against the elements, was vulnerable to thieves and suffered from … Continue reading

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How Did Baker’s Chocolate® Get Its Name?

 Edible Traditions tells us, “In North America English colonists loved chocolate too, and in the early 18th century it was an established beverage throughout the 13 colonies. Direct trade routes from theWest Indies and the absence of tariffs made cacao … Continue reading

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Georgian Era Commerce ~ Part IV: The St Katherine Docks and the Custom House

If you are interested in reading the previous posts on the Early Nineteenth Century Commercial District in this series, please check out the links below:  Part I: Introduction to Georgian Era Commerce Part II: The West India Docks and the … Continue reading

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Georgian Era Commerce, Part III: The Surrey Docks and the East India Docks

The cargo handling docks of the early nineteenth century were the West India Docks, the London Docks, the Greenland Docks, the East India Docks, and the St. Katherine’s Docks. Previously, we explored an overview of the time period and a … Continue reading

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Do You Know the History of ®Murine Eye Drops?

I am forever adding allergy drops to stop my eyes from itching and later adding eye drops to prevent the dryness. It got me thinking…  Murine UK tells us this about the history of ®Murine: “The Murine® Eye Drops brand was first … Continue reading

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Georgian Era Commerce – Part II: The West India Docks and the London Docks

This is the second part of a look at the commercial trades during the Georgian Era. If you missed part one, you will find it HERE.  The cargo-handling docks of the early 1800s included the West India Dock, the London … Continue reading

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Truth Stranger Than Fiction, a Guest Post from Jennifer Petkus

This post originally appeared on Austen Authors, but I thought it worthy and wanted to share it with others. If you do not know Jennifer Petkus’s works, check them out.  Truth is stranger than fiction, they say, which I’ve never … Continue reading

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The Beginnings of the Greyhound Bus Company

In 1914, a young Swedish minor named Car Eric Wickman left his job as a diamond drill operator in the rugged Mesabi Iron Ore Range in Hibbing, Minnesota, to open a Hupmobile (Goodyear Tire) franchise. The venture cost him $3000. … Continue reading

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Ever Been on a “Cook’s Tour”?

Most of you are likely to think a “cook’s tour” has something to do with a chef’s culinary excellence, but the phrase actually has its roots in the world’s oldest and largest travel organization.   Thomas Cook was a 32-year old … Continue reading

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