JF Ptak  Science Books   Post 1103

Its interesting to see what jobs have survived over the years, and what jobs haven’t–particularly those jobs that would have been so widespread and popular that they would be instantly recognized by a child–so much part of the common culture that the initial letter of the job’s name could be used to help children learn the alphabet.

In this version of commonplace employment found in a child’s alphabetical primer of ca. 1850, lists the following professions, most of which are still available for hire: ale brewer (especially here in Asheville, Beer City USA);auctioneer, armourer, artist, bookseller, butcher, baker, cooper, carpenter, cutler, dyer, dairyman, engraver, engineer, fishmonger, fiddle(r), florist, grocer, glazier, hatter, hawker, horse dealer, ironmonger, jeweller, knife-maker, knitter, letter-founder, lace-maker, locksmith, milliner, miner, merchant, nurse, newsman, oilman, optician, omnibus, pastry-cook, physician, rope-maker, rider, shoemaker, shipwright, scavenger, slater, surgeon, sawyer, saddler, tailor, turner, tanner, tinker, upholsterer, vintner, wharfinger, wax-chandler, yeoman, youth, zoologist.

continued below with FULL ALPHABET: