TOPIC:

The QSA as an advertising gimmick.

The first example is for Salmon & Gluckstein's "Three Clasps Cigarettes" (utilising a fictitious and impossible combination of Ladysmith, Kimberley & Mafeking clasps). The Trade Marks Department "16 May 1913" stamp indicates that this particular design post-dates the ABW by over ten years. However, this brand was certainly on the market in 1901, cases being contributed gratis for the Wycombe reception of the Buckinghamshire Yeomanry on their return from the front (held on 17 June 1901): "That the generous gift of a box of 'Three Clasp' cigarettes by Messrs Salmon & Gluckstein to every guest in the huge tent was at once a very thoughtful and patriotic contribution" (Bucks Advertiser, 22 Jun 1901).

The second is for "Kingsford's Oswego" corn flour. With clasps for Transvaal, Paardeburg [sic], Cape Colony & Natal, and suspension bar inscribed "Facsimile of the S. African War Medal".

Reverse printed: "While so much inferior corn flour is being forced upon consumers always remember that "KINGSFORD'S OWEGO" can be obtained from leading stores throughout the kingdom / THE BEST IS THE CHEAPEST and this may be easily demonstrated by purchasing a packet of your grocer, or by writing for A FREE SAMPLE to the London depot, 44, Upper Thames St., E.C. / Facsimile of packet containing the original of all corn flours / ESTD OVER 50 YEARS / ABSOLUTELY PURE".









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This postcard was printed as part of an advertising campaign for the brand "Le Tanneur", which is still going strong (as are their premises on Cours de l’Intendance, Bordeaux). Their line of "Sans Couture" or seamless leather goods is also still in production. I'm not entirely sure why the company opted for a drawing of a Boer and Briton to advertise their purses. Message dated 7 September 1901.

"LE TANNEUR Sans Couture / Porte-Monnaie". Rubber stamped with the address "BORDEAUX, Cours de l’Intendance".

Artwork by "Blum". Printed by J. Le Henaff, St Etienne.










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Neville, in case you missed it, the card is a more cunning piece of marketing than may appear on first glance. Firstly, adding a British soldier keeps the lucrative UK market open for export and secondly the sentence « P.S. J’oubliais de vous dire…sans couture a » which translates as “I forgot to tell you that you can find the famous stitch-less wallet at.. “ could easily be mistaken as an endorsement by the sender of the card but actually was part of the printed text.

Well spotted, Everhard. I see now that the line you refer to is printed in black (opposed to the ink script which is beginning to fade to brown).

I'm not sure the less than flattering caricature of the British soldier would attract much UK trade. The drawing clearly shows strong support for the Boer cause and contempt for the British (as one would expect from a French artist).

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