3 St. Ben'et's Hill<1>
Doctors Common
3rd. Feby 1840
Sir
Knowing the difficulty that Gentlemen have experienced in obtaining the address of persons who supply the Trumpet Banners for the Shrievalty I take the liberty of soliciting the favor of your order for a pair (with your arms &c emblazoned thereon) having been in the habit of painting them for the High Sheriffs of different counties for the last thirty years. Should you wish for an Estimate of the expense by forwarding to me an impression of your seal with Arms &c it shall be sent by the return of post
I am Sir Your obed Servt
For Bishop & Tait
G St M Bishop<2>
W. H. F. Talbot Esqre
Notes:
1. His spelling of Ben'et's is an archaic contraction of Bennett's.
2. The reading of the middle initials (or flourish) is uncertain - there was a George Speeckly (or Speechley) Bishop born in 1816 in London who had a brother Charles. In the 1839 Pigot Directory, under Heraldic Painters, the firm is listed as Bishop & Tait at 3 Bennett's Hill and George Bishop, Painter to Her Majesty at 2 Bennett's Hill. In the 1843 Post Office Directory, the listing is for George & Charles Bishop, Herald painters to the Queen, at 3 Bennett's Hill. They had the same listing in 1847 and by 1856 had added house & estate agents to their listing.