Costermongers have existed in London since at least the 16th century, when they were mentioned by Shakespeare and Marlowe and were probably most numerous during the Victorian era, when there were said to be over 30,000 in 1860. 'seller', came to be particularly associated with the 'barrow boys' of London who would sell their produce from a wheelbarrow or wheeled market stall. The term, which derived from the words costard (a type of apple) and monger, i.e. A costermonger was a street seller of fruit and vegetables.
