This exhibition charts the evolution of the advertising approaches of the tobacco firm John Player & Sons, beginning in the 1880's and running through to the 1960s.

I only found out about this exhibition by chance via another collector. It has been running since July and due to finish at the and of next week. I think!!  During the period of the exhibition there have been a number of Talks & Tours which you had to book in advance with the following titles "Establishing the Brand"-"The Home Front in the First World War: of munitions,textiles and cigarettes"-"Lighting Up History"-"John Player's advertising campaigns 1950s to 1960s"-"Tour of John Player's archives".

We did the Exhibition and the Archive Tour which has over 20,000 objects and must be the biggest of all the tobacco manufactures. There was so much to see, but we were limited to one hour. It was like being in "Tobacco Fantasy Land".

Anyway, I have taken a few photo's of the exhibition showcards. Sadly, was not allowed to photograph items in the archives due to security considerations. The following showcards are the earliest they have and date from 1880 to 1900 and I will drip feed the others over next couple of weeks.

bacco

I am having trouble uploading the images and will try again later as I have to go out.

bacco

Sorry for delay but have got there in the end. I have to many photo's which was part of the problem.

bacco

 Very nice Bacco .
That's one I'd like to see

Must have been like catching up to the Holy Grail for you mate.

I sometimes dream that I am in an old Grocers Shop , and when I look up on the Shelves behind the crowded Counter , there is a     ....... mmm ..... Oh  ..... Sorry.....  , did I drift off for a moment ?

Relics

Hi Lummox,

I will check tomorrow to enquire about dates for the exhibition finishing and let you know. However, I have to say that I was a little disappointed with the exhibition which consisted of about 25 showcards displayed around the room with black&white photo's etc displayed in showcases as illustrated in the posted photo's and a continuous short film titled "The Sailor and The Showcards" produced by students under the direction of Andy Barnett-Playwright. I felt it lacked a professional approach to the display.

The visit in the afternoon to the archives was what made the day for me and with over 20,000 items, I feel the exhibition could have been made a lot more interesting. They even have an early cigarette manufacturing machine which could have been used as a working model.

Mind you, I am viewing it from the point of a collector and their main aim was to look at the effect/influences of advertising in the cigarette industry both positive and negative.

I have posted a few more pictures.

bacco

Thanks for a good insight into the exhibition Bacco. Cheers Richard

Hi Lummox, Relics and Richard,

The exhibition runs until Sunday 25th Sept, however, I will be posting more photo's of the exhibition over next few days. You will have to allow for the reflections of lights/windows as the cards are behind glass.

bacco

 Thanks for taking the time to show these Bacco. I like the cricket ones, they seem to have used that sport for a long time to promote there goods, even sponsoring one of the first one day competitions . ps sorry for not answering your question about the Walls sign. I do`nt collect them really i just picked up the Lyons Maid litter bin to go in the shop cheers keep up the good work Broadie.

Hi Broadie & AL,

There is no doubt that sport played an important part in the advertising of cigarettes and I have posted a few more from the exhibition. The "Player's Please" (Football) showcard, I believe is Billy Walker of Aston Villa about 1930s/40s. "The Country Life" (Bare-Knuckle Boxing) is early 1920s and the "Player's Weights" (Speedway) is 1940s.  The "Sweet as Honey" showcard must be one of the earliest I have come across and unique, but sadly it is damaged.

bacco

A few more showcards from the exhibition. I would love to get a good one of that Tom Brown which I think is 1907/08.

bacco

These are a few more pictures of pictures from the exhibition.

bacco

A few more pictures of pictures from the exhibition.

bacco