3-096-662 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

L'allumeur de chalands, 19th century. Du mot allume! (inspecte, guette, dictionnaire du floueur.) Ce personnage sous la figure d'un simple flaneur se consacre au commerce des chaînes de sureté, des bijoux en or controlés; des porte-crayons d'argent et d'autres embarras de la voie public, il flaire le sergent de ville; et dès que la sureté des chaînes est compromise, il file avec le magasin! (The Lighter. Originates from the word: light! (look out, watch out - slang from the *floueur* or confidence man's lexicon). Disguised as a mere idler, this character deals in safety chains, hallmarked gold jewellery, silver pencil holders, and other wares hawked on the public thoroughfare; he smells the police before they come, and the moment the safety of his goods is threatened, he makes off with his stock!)