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To Caroline:
Many thanks for your e-mail; there were at least five different trouser
presses made by the Co-operative Wholesale Society at Whitehall, Bristol.
They were called the "Universal", the "Avenue", the "Whitehall", the
"Devonia" and the "Super". They were made of varying woods; the "Super"
(which was the most expensive) had a choice of three different woods and
three different metal fittings! I am sending you a photocopy of an
advertisement in the "Co-operative News", 28 November 1925, which gives
details of the different types. They are all shown with the "Improved Nucap
Fitting" and there is a drawing of how it compared with the "old style
fitting", so you'll be able to tell whether your trouser press is a
"Nucap"-type or not!
There are two CWS trouser presses in the collections of the People's History
Museum; a "Universal" and an "Avenue". I'm a mad keen 'co-op' fan (as all my
colleagues will wearily confirm) and I do occasionally see these for sale in
antique shops and at antiques fairs.
My colleagues Gillian Lonergan, Learning Resource Manager and Archivist at
the Co-operative College ([log in to unmask]) and Linda Walkden at the the
Co-operative Group's Business Information Unit ([log in to unmask])
have always been first rate at winkling out historical details of 'co-op'
products for me and I'm fairly sure that they would be able to advise
further about the first and last production dates of this smashing little
item.
With best wishes
Jim Garretts, Keeper, the People's History Museum.
-----Original Message-----
From: Whitehead Caroline [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 01 February 2006 14:58
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [SHCG-LIST] Trouser press?
This is an email sent via the SHCG List. If you reply to this message, your
message will be sent to all the people on the list, not just the author of
this message.
---------------
Hi,
We have been offered a trouser press made by the CWS in Bristol. Has anyone
anything like this, and knows what date it is and how it was used?
We think it looks a bit short to be a trouser press, but as we're only
familiar
with the Corby style as seen in many hotel rooms, we're not sure if this
object
is one.
Many thanks,
Caro
ps the only Birkenstocks are in the V&A...
Mrs Caroline Whitehead
Keeper of History
Tyne & Wear Museums
Discovery Museum
Blandford Square
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4JA
Tel: (0191) 2772199
Text Direct: 18001 0191 2772199
Fax (0191) 230 2614
Email: [log in to unmask]
Our mission is to help people determine their place in the world
and define their identities, so enhancing their self-respect and
their respect for others.
Find out more at: www.twmuseums.org.uk
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The SHCG list is provided for members of Social History Curators Group to discuss subjects relevant to social history in museums. To join SHCG visit www.shcg.org.uk . Opinions expressed in this email are the responsibility of the author and are not necessarily shared by SHCG.
To leave the list do not reply to this message but send an email to [log in to unmask] with a blank subject line and these words as the body of the email: SIGNOFF SHCG-LIST