Eggs are a favourite article of consumption; great quantities are brought from distant seaport towns on the coast, from France, Belgium, and Holland. Ireland also sends hundreds of "crates" annually; yet, notwithstanding the distance whence they are brought, and their liability to breakage, they are often retailed as low as 6d. per dozen, and seldom reach more than 1s. 6d. The scarcest times of the year are Easter and Christmas. 
    From 95,000,000 to 110,000,000 of foreign eggs are annually imported into London.

Cruchley's London in 1865 : A Handbook for Strangers, 1865