I saw this mentioned on the BBC website earlier and was rather fascinated. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (who knew) has discovered and published online a really cool trade catalogue from 1905. Here are a few of my favourite pages.
“We are specialists in steam oven building of all kinds, for all purpose and all positions.” They don’t make advertising slogans like that any more.
Herring salesman – what a thing to have on your CV.
This makes Coatbridge look almost glamorous. “A dainty bite, fit for a king” – again with the herrings.
North Shields – Aberdeen – Cape Town. Glamour.
The Midlothian Oatmeal Mills sound like an exciting place to work.
“The celebrated makers of Scotch glue and gelatine”
An up-to-date cableway – fancy that!
All images taken from the RCAHMS website, here. I really love this sort of ephemera. I find it quite inspirational. I’d love to translate one of these into cross stitch but it would take a zillion years.
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I’m Claire and I live near Glasgow, in Scotland. I have strong family ties to Cincinnati, too and regard it as my second home. If I had to describe myself in five words, it would be thus: Does. Not. Suffer. Fools. Gladly.
I’ve been cross stitching pretty much all my life, but professionally since 2005, first as Miso Funky, then as The Bellwether and now under my own name. I'm known for my witty, sarcastic and occasionally profane typographic designs. My work has been featured in The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Channel 4 and on BBC television as well as numerous media outlets across the globe. At one point, I was kind of a big deal but I mostly just dabble in it these days when I have time.
My website is a repositry of cross stitch charts, travel and food blogging and you'll find it at www.antibullshitleague.com.
I also love to travel and eat, ideally travelling somewhere great to eat something brilliant. I'm fascinated by social history, particularly the Victorians and will absolutely beat you hands down in a quiz about the Tudors. Dogs are LIFE.
I like being in water and have lots of ideas that will never see the light of day but would definitely be a winner on Dragon’s Den/Shark Tank. I love to give people gifts. I! also! overuse! exclamation! marks! sorry!
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Anti Bullshit League 