Last minute shopping for Christmas dinner? Some good prices were to be had on all types of meats and vegetables in the London markets (Smithfield, Leadenhall etc. – e.g. a turkey for 8s – that’s 40p in today’s prices!
“The supply of edibles in London is very plentiful: good roasting beef, of superior quality, fetching as high as 11d. per lb., but there is a large quantity of inferior as low as 7d. The mutton trade is good; shoulders fetch 6 1/2 d, superior 8d.; legs 7d. to 9d.; other parts 5d. to 7d. The pork is of fine quality, and reasonable in price, considering the time of year; legs 7d. to 8d., lons (loins?) the same price, other parts varying in proportion – supply good. In the poultry market the prices are rather dear : turkeys are fetching as low as 8s. and 6s., but those of superior quality are selling as high as 14s. to 18s.; inferior geese fetch about 6s., but those of good quality, and weighing 14lbs to 15lbs., are selling as high as 10s. to 11s. each ; fowls 4s. to 8s. a pair. Rabbits (wild) 1s. to 2s. each, but there are others (tame) which sell at a much higher rate. Fowls 2s. to 4s. each. In the vegetable market the supply has not been so great for many years and prices are about one-half what they were last year. Good cabbage plants are selling at prices varying from 2s. to 3s. per dozen bunches; turnips 1s. 6d. to 2s. 6d. per doz.; potatoes 5s. to 7s. per cwt., and other articles equally low.”
The Stamford Mercury, 24th December, 1847.