Far from the pomp usually associated with royalty, this bill claims that Richard Page used to be chimney sweeper and nightman to His Majesty and that he now serves the Prince of Wales. Other cards claiming royal patronage as rat-destroyer, nightmen and chimney sweepers can be seen at nos. 113 and 118. Reference is made here to the humanity of Richard Page’s operation, in stark contrast to many chimney sweepers. Mechanical sweeping was introduced only in 1803, a year before the date of this card. Climbing boys were prohibited in 1829. The plea to preserve the bill to be sure of securing the services of the advertiser is common and also can be seen in item 114.

The verso has a receipt for the sum of one shilling ‘for sweeping of the kitchen chimney’, dated May 11, 1804.