In the days before TV advertising, the printed word was far more powerful and well used. Small format advertisements were widely placed in all manner of local publications, from football matches through County Shows, race meetings, local papers, and in support of all manner of local activities.
This is the oldest advert in my archive, from a local theatre programme in Plymouth of 1897.
Here is a small selection of later versions:
The White Hart, Exeter, 2014
Concrete cellar designed by Blackall Simonds
Tin sign
Tin sign
Tin sign from Martin’s brewery, Brussels
Reading Museum Restaurant
All aboard for Tavern
Bridgewater Bridge A38 1966, the last train!
SB Advert 1943 Palace Theatre
c1930’s Hastings Stores
1950’s Farsons Advert
1950’s Tram Portsmouth Harbour to Copnor
1950’s Tram, Brighton, Queens Park Rd
1950’s Newbury, Bus station
High Wycombe, Bus advert
Bus in Floriana, Malta
1950’s Cool Drinks
1950’s Tavern 1
1950’s Tavern 2
1950’s Tavern 3
1950’s Tavern 4
1950’s Arthur Cooper
1960’s CBS Ales
1960’s CBS
Posters, hoardings and even painting the sides of buildings also had greater importance before today’s focus on TV and on-line ads.
