Whitcomb, John, ‘The Crown & Cushion’, Prince's St, Soho, London, cm and upholder (1759–84). First recorded in 1759 at Marshall St, Carnaby Mkt, but otherwise the Prince's St address was always used. When the street was numbered his premises were known as 1 Prince's St. He offered a wide range of cabinet and upholstery goods which included bedding, window blinds and wallpapers. Funerals were arranged and goods appraised. In 1780 total insurance cover was £900 of which goods and utensils accounted for £500 but at this point the trading activity may have been in decline for by 1784 these figures had fallen to £200 and £100 respectively. Earlier however much more substantial cover had been taken out on other properties. In 1777 he insured a house and shop at 141 Fleet St jointly with George Blackiston, a grocer, for £800 and two years later 30 Harley St for £1,200. Only one patron of this maker is known. He was William Drake of Shardeloes, Amersham, Bucks. who on 8 April 1776 purchased four post bedsteads and bedding costing around £23. [Heal; Westminster poll bk; GL, Sun MS vol. 258, p. 60; vol. 278, p. 334; vol. 281, p. 510; vol. 322, p. 305; Bucks. RO, D/DR/5/109; Public Advertiser, 13 January 1759]