[Copperplate]. "La Marchande de coco".

36 x 27 cm (picture : 32 x 23,5 cm), signed below "Dessiné par Cle. Vernet / Gravé par Debucourt", mention "Déposé à la Direction" (some sm. margin. stains).

Plate num. 3 from the 5th issue of a suite named "Collection de costumes dessinés d'après nature par Carle Vernet". Beautiful engraving by the Parisian artist Debucourt (1755-1832), showing a young woman with her drinking fountain serving a cup 'coco' to a soldier. This refreshing beverage made from liquorice and lemon water was very popular in the 19th c. and the "marchand(e) de coco" was a typical figure in the lively streets of Paris at the time.
Ref. Cat. Musée Carnavalet, inventory num. G.1167.
Prov. "Mamet S.r / Anc[ien]ne maison Molhérat / 2bis imp[asse] Lebouis Paris" (engr. on the back).