Doctor Rock, a medicine vendor, selling his wares from a horse-drawn carriage to a crowd. Engraving.

A pregnant woman is selling "gin" and "... public spirit", a man is carrying a pile of books "Dr. Rocks 52 ways ..."

Doctor Rock (Richard Rock 1690-1777) was a medicine vendor who frequented the London areas of Tower Hill, St. Paul's Cathedral and Covent Garden. He offered for sale his "anti-venereal, grand, specifick pill". He was represented in many caricatures: William Hogarth referred to him in A harlot's progress pl. V; The march to Finchley; and The four times of the day, morning

1 print : line engraving and etching ; image 16.5 x 30.1 cm

Impression catalogued is inscribed in pencil: "1st state. AB/- Dr. Rock at Covent Garden - very rare but not as rare as 2nd."

[1st state, without two preachers in the background].

For second state of same print see Wellcome Library catalogue no. 20649i

C.J.S. Thompson, The quacks of old London, New York 1993, p. 312

O. Goldsmith, Citizen of the world, letter 68

Wellcome Collection 20635i