Patterns of the Month: Advertising

Each month we feature a new pattern from our Pattern and Source Print Database and archive them on these pages by category.

Marisanta

Shown is an English advertising pot lid, 2.75 inches in diameter. The advertising promises a lot of things! The text reads: "Marisanta / A Curative Salve / Draws and Heals / Cuts, Scalds, Burns, Festers / Gatherings, Boils, Whitlows, Chilblains / For All Wounds / Amicus Humani Generis.” The Latin phrase translates: “Friend of the Human Race.” This pattern is part of the Advertising Category of the TCC Database of Patterns and Sources. Visit more information and other archived patterns to learn more about this pattern.

Free Masons Tavern & City Coffee House

Shown is a dinner plate of unknown size made by Pountney & Allies (1816-1835), ca, 1835. The center shows advertising for the Free Masons Tavern & City Coffee House on Bridge Street along with the border commonly used by Pountney & Allies for their “Sicilian” pattern. This establishment was in business on Bridge Street in Bristol from around 1820 until 1866. Members only: for more information about this pattern and to see other similar patterns, search the Pattern and Source Print Database.

Wm Clayton & Cos Bears Grease

Shown is a 19th century English pot lid advertising “Wm Clayton & Cos Bears Grease.” Bears Grease was used as a hair pomade.

Members only: for more information about this pattern and to see other similar patterns, search the Pattern and Source Print Database.

Genuine Bears Grease

“Genuine Bears Grease” 2.8 inch pot lid. John Gosnell & Co. was the importer. Bear’s grease was used as a pomade for men’s hair. When the supply of bears decreased, pomade was made from cow's grease.

Members only: for more information about this pattern and to see other similar patterns, search the Pattern and Source Print Database.

William Pyke

Shown is a 10.5 inch plate that advertises the jeweler William Pyke, ca. 1891-1905. The company’s specialties are enumerated in the text on the plate: “William Pyke 42,44 Market Street 227 Grange Rd Birkenhead / Diamond Merchant Goldsmith Jeweler Watch Maker / Tempus Fugit Use it Wisely.”

Superior Chocolate Paste

Seen here is a 2.5 inch polychrome advertising pot lid made by John & Jos Mayer (1842-1855), ca. 1851. It advertises "Superior Chocolate Paste" made by J.S. Fry & Sons. The company made the first molded chocolate bar suitable for widespread consumption in 1847. They exhibited at the 1851 Exhibition. The company merged with Cadbury's Chocolate in 1919.

"Jewsbury & Brown's, Manchester"

Shown here is an 11.81 inch by 9.45 inch polychrome platter advertising Mineral Waters, Brewed Ginger Beer & Hop Ale. The center image is based on "The Blind Fiddler" painted by the artist Sir David Wilkie in 1806. Jewsbury & Brown operated from 1826 until it merged with Schweppes in 1964.

"Dunns Boot & Shoes"
This 7.25 inch plate with a molded alphabet border advertises a shoe store in Wingate, which is located in County Durham in England.

"Perfumers/ R.B. Ede & Co./ London/ Shaving Cream" pot lid,  3.25 inches.  This pattern dates from the late 19th century.   The contents for dental products, food, hair products, shaving cream, soaps and medicinal ointments were commonly sold in a pottery pot with a transfer printed lid until World War I.  Black printed lids were the most common.  This is a particularly detailed pattern, as you can even see the blood dripping from the man's face where he cut it shaving.  Perhaps the pattern is suggesting that the man wasn't using Ede's shaving cream!  For more information about this pattern, see Ede, R.B. in the pattern and source print database.  To see related patterns and to learn more about them,  search Advertising/Shaving Cream and Soaps

William Burgess Tomato Tooth Paste pot lid, 2.9 inches. The toothpaste would have been tomato colored, and not tomato flavored. The lid dates from 1897. Packaging for dental products, food, hair products, shaving cream, soaps and medicinal ointments were commonly in a pottery pot with a transfer printed lid until World War I. Black printed lids were the most common. There are an estimated 10,000 different lid patterns. For more information about this pot lid, see William Burgess Tomato Tooth Paste in the pattern and source print database. For more information about this type of item, see the Advertising category.

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