In The Citizen of 1845, John Greatwood is listed as a confectioner, while ‘Slater’s National Commercial Directory’ (1846) describes him as a fruiterer, both recording his address as 26 New Street. The Citizen in fact lists Greatwood as the Birmingham supplier of “Howqua’s mixture’, “an Admixture of 40 Rare Black Teas” produced by one Captain Pidding. Other delights advertised on his trade card include “rich bride cakes”, “fine seven year old venison”, “soups &c”, “pines mellons grapes,” “ices &c” and indeed “every article of confectionary wholesale & retail”. In addition to these goods for sale, Greatwood also supplied “routs & balls”.

The card is lavishly decorated with illustrations of the abundant wares available at Number 26. Atop the plinth is a platter overflowing with fruits, flanked on either side by pineapples standing in tall dishes. A stand of cakes and grape vines are also featured, in addition to a range of dead animals such as rabbit, pheasant and deer, the latter presumably the “fine seven year old venison”. Beneath the platter of fruit is a Latin motto reading “labore et honore” (‘with hard work and honour’).

Engraved by Joseph Joesbury (1795-1858), a successful and prolific local Birmingham engraver, whose sons succeeded him in his business.