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In 1810, a prankster sent 4,000 letters to flood one London address with chimney sweeps, coffins, and the Lord Mayor

Ellsworth Toohey
Jun 16, 2026
∙ Paid

Illustration of the Berners Street hoax by William Heath

Theodore Hook is a historical figure whose eccentricity defined his period. He became known for the Berners Street Hoax of 1810—an undertaking considered arguably the greatest practical joke in history. Hook arranged for dozens of tradesmen, including the Lord Mayor and the Duke of Gloucester, to c…

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