Sorry, I'm new to this forum. As my previous post explains, a junior member of our community archaeology group found a piece of a sign yesterday, after a bit of research we identified it as a hudsons soap sign, we know the history of the company and that they ran a huge advertising campaign.What we are trying to find out is the meaning of PBP Running down the left side? And also why different signs we have found on the Internet have many different letters or initials? In the same place as our PBP. Also any information at all about these signs and any usefull documents,articles or links that will help us. Hope somebody out there can help? 

Many thanks

Anna Watso

Hi Anna and welcome to the Forum!

The lamp was a device used on many of the Hudson's signs, with a beam of light projecting from it. The sides of the lamps were often marked with three letters, such as 'P E & S', standing for 'POWERFUL, EASY AND SAFE'. As you note, many different letter combinations were used. Prnted on the reverse of one of their showcards, (I believe,) is what they all stood for! I've tried to find a post that covers this, but without success! Perhaps someone else can point you in the right direction?

Hudsons were probably one of the most prolific sign users, their earliest signs dating from the late 1800s.

Amongst the signs they used was what is arguably one of the most desirable enamel signs ever made, picturing an advertisng balloon, floating above a river and hills. Probably only three examples of this sign have survived.

Hope this is of some use!

Thankyou so much for your reply, I would dearly love to know what our PBP stands for!

Well Anna the answer is Pro Bono Publico
Sign - Seeker is right when he says the answers are on the reverse of a c.1890 showcard.
Hope this now helps your group.

Trying to decipher the Hudson's "The letters on the lantern Explained" leaflet as reproduced in 'The Art of Street Jewellery' page 202:
A key to some of the initals are:

AUI - Always use it
MHH - Makes healthy homes
MWE - Makes washing easy
SHL - Shortens hours labour
MLC - Much longer clean
HSH - Home sweet home
BOK - Best of kind
ROD - removes obstinate dirt
IPH- Improves public Health
LNS - Leaves no Smell
QAS - quick and Safe
MFL - Makes Foaming Lather
RAG - removes accmulated Grease
IFP - In Fine powder
IPY - It pays You

Nice one guys!

Al.