A rag-and-bone man collects unwanted household items and sells them to merchants. Traditionally this was a task performed on foot, with the scavenged materials (which included rags, bones and various metals) kept in a small bag slung over the shoulder. Some wealthier rag-and-bone men used a cart, sometimes pulled by horse or pony.
19th century rag-and-bone men typically lived in penury, surviving on the proceeds of what they collected each day. Conditions improved following the Second World War, but the trade declined during the latter half of the 20th century. Lately, however, due in part to the soaring price of scrap metal, rag-and-bone men can once again be seen at work.
~Wikipedia
Human by Rag'N'Bone Man:
The thread of this reminds me of Beyond The Beautiful Forevers with those boys scavenging in sight of the luxury hotels, and I've read parts of a book about the terribleness of night throughout history, and those who looked for things they could sell held different names, included "rag and bone" men. It is a fascinating and enlightening book.
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