Basic necessities:
* Matches: One of the most common items sold, due to their necessity for lighting and their low cost. Children would carry bundles of matches, often in small boxes or on strings, and cry out "Matches, matches, strike a light!"
* Newspapers: Children would sell newspapers fresh off the printing press, usually shouting headlines to attract buyers.
* Flowers: Often collected from the wild, or from gardens, children sold flowers in bouquets or individual stems. These were popular for special occasions and for decorating homes.
* Fruit and vegetables: Especially in rural areas, children sold produce grown locally, such as apples, berries, and vegetables.
Other items:
* Blacking: This was a shoe polish made from soot, and children would often be seen carrying small tin pots, offering to shine shoes for a small fee.
* Toys: Simple toys like whistles, marbles, and tops were common items sold by children.
* Street-food: Some children, especially in urban areas, sold basic street food like hot chestnuts, oranges, and even oysters.
* Brushes: These were often homemade from twigs and other materials, and were used for cleaning.
The Importance of Context:
It's important to remember that children selling these items on the streets often faced extreme hardship. Many were orphaned, or from impoverished families, and their earnings were essential for survival. They were often exploited by adults who would take a portion of their profits, leaving the children with very little.
The Victorian era saw a rise in child labor laws and attempts to improve the lives of working children, but these efforts were often inadequate and the conditions remained difficult for many.