William Hooper and Company, London 1900

Black and white photograph of the shopfront of William Hooper and Company, 24 Russell Street, Covent Garden. The image shows the shop front of the pharmacy, which was established in 1732. The building was one of the oldest continuously occupied pharmacies in London until its demolition in 1908. The shopfront was raised and plate-glass was fitted by Hooper in the 1840s, while retaining the ancient signboard with the sigh of the red cross. Hooper had a reputation for concentrated infusions, galenical preparations and marking ink, but, near Drury Lane the theatrical trade was also important and in his shop it was reported that: “One sees the giant puff-boxes which tell of a more extensive area than the face to beautify”. The business had associations with many famous medical men, including Dr Robert James (1703-1776), John Hunter (1728-1793), and Dr Thomas Percival (1749-1804).