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Lot Essay
Another example, numbered 6634 is illustrated in Kenneth Nicholls Palmer, Ceremonial Barges of the River Thames, page 145.
The arms of the Watermen's company, which were granted by Elizabeth I, depict a boat on waves and two oars flanked by taselled cushions and supported by dolphins. The company, which became the Watermen's and Lightermen's company in 1700 was responsible for carrying passengers, in the case of watermen, and cargo, in the case of the lightermen, not to mention helping with firefighting, often working with the Insurance companies of the day, and delivering some of the first letter post in London.
The arms of the Watermen's company, which were granted by Elizabeth I, depict a boat on waves and two oars flanked by taselled cushions and supported by dolphins. The company, which became the Watermen's and Lightermen's company in 1700 was responsible for carrying passengers, in the case of watermen, and cargo, in the case of the lightermen, not to mention helping with firefighting, often working with the Insurance companies of the day, and delivering some of the first letter post in London.