No. 22 (2018)
Studies

Rags and Junkwomen: from a Pension Offence to an Industrial Raw Material and Rubbish Women Collectors

Marie Macková
University of Pardubice

Published 2018-12-16

Keywords

  • financial authorities,
  • 19th century,
  • the Habsburg Monarchy,
  • junkwoman

How to Cite

Macková, M. (2018). Rags and Junkwomen: from a Pension Offence to an Industrial Raw Material and Rubbish Women Collectors. Theatrum Historiae, (22), 125–145. Retrieved from https://theatrum.upce.cz/index.php/theatrum/article/view/1926

Abstract

A junkwoman/Lumpensammlerin ‒ a collector of waste rags, glass and bones appeared in the society in a broader context. Someone perceived her as a peculiar character of that time; others considered her to be the poorest being, and for the others she was a necessary labour force recycling solid municipal waste. Financial authorities were interested in her because she collected rags that were in a special customs regime and under official supervision. Permission to such work was issued by the district council, but a junkwoman ranked neither among tradeswomen nor door­to­door sellers. She became a subject matter for artists, journalists and cabaret performers.

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