Customers

Pawn Ticket

Pawn Ticket by James O'Neill pawnbroker Ballybricken 1897

Courtesy of Waterford City Library Services

Pawn Ticket
Courtesy of Waterford City Library Services

Pawn Ticket

Pawn Ticket by James O'Neill pawnbroker Ballybricken 1897

Courtesy of Waterford City Library Services

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Customers who frequented pawnshops in Waterford were drawn from various classes of society. Housewives, farmers, sportsmen and many others made up the clientele of the Pawn Shop

The housewife, who pawned her husband's suit or shoes each Monday morning would redeem these items on Friday as they were needed for wear on Sunday. Men wore their working clothes all week therefore the suit was not required until Sunday.

The farmer, who attended the Ballybricken Fair each month, would often be a regular customer of the pawnshop. He may have had to pawn household items to get money for supplies in the event of not selling his animals at the fair.

Well-to-do ladies who may have temporarily fallen on hard times often pawned their jewellery. There was usually a small office in the pawn shop where these ladies could conduct their business in private.

In spite of the impoverished circumstances of many of the customers the regular trip to the pawn was a social occasion. Gossip was exchanged and stories related about the well-being of family members and neighbours.