Now we tend to think of advertisng in the past as a gentler form of selling us stuff.
But not so.
Looking at this 1962 advert, it pulls no punches in its determination to sell the raincoat.
It was published in the Eagle Comic in 1962 and was one of a number aimed at the readeship which was boys between the ages of seven to about fourteen.
In this particular edition there were also adverts for Sugar Puffs, a Sturnley Archer bicycle set of gears, Beech-Nut chewing gum and the Wiggli Ball from Weetabix.
In addition Wall’s Ice Cream were selling the “exciting Big Chief Moccasins” which came in kit form and cost just under six shillings, which you could get by sending the money with “any two Wall’s Ice Cream wrappers”.
And to complete the adverts, Shreeded Wheat were giving away “Free Champions of Sport Giant Colour Picture Cards”.
Most of the adverts were from food companies, of which three sold breakfast cereals.
But it is that raincoat ad which I like the best.
Adverts in the comic were often delivered in the form of a strip cartoon with a story so here the two children, go off to the fair, wearing their coats, which was very sensible, spend all their money, including their bus fare and walk home in the cold and the rain.
But they “were not cold”, because “We’ve got our Robert Hirst Raincoats on”.
And to reinforce the ad there was the message that “A Robert Hirst keeps you cosy and dry always – and each coat has a secret safety pocket for boys or a penny safe purse for girls ...... even a fleecy buttin-warmer if you want it”.
Concluding with “Ask mummy to let you see some in the shops” and mindful of being a responisble businesses added “And remember-always keep some money in case of emergencies”.
I went looking for the firm of Robert Hirst and found a listing and an reference to them in the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre for 1960-62, but no indication of what it was.
So I shall go looking for that too.
Location; 1962
Picture advert from the Eagle Comic, August 11, 1962 from the collection of Andrew Simpson
Looking at this 1962 advert, it pulls no punches in its determination to sell the raincoat.
It was published in the Eagle Comic in 1962 and was one of a number aimed at the readeship which was boys between the ages of seven to about fourteen.
In this particular edition there were also adverts for Sugar Puffs, a Sturnley Archer bicycle set of gears, Beech-Nut chewing gum and the Wiggli Ball from Weetabix.
And to complete the adverts, Shreeded Wheat were giving away “Free Champions of Sport Giant Colour Picture Cards”.
Most of the adverts were from food companies, of which three sold breakfast cereals.
But it is that raincoat ad which I like the best.
Adverts in the comic were often delivered in the form of a strip cartoon with a story so here the two children, go off to the fair, wearing their coats, which was very sensible, spend all their money, including their bus fare and walk home in the cold and the rain.
And to reinforce the ad there was the message that “A Robert Hirst keeps you cosy and dry always – and each coat has a secret safety pocket for boys or a penny safe purse for girls ...... even a fleecy buttin-warmer if you want it”.
Concluding with “Ask mummy to let you see some in the shops” and mindful of being a responisble businesses added “And remember-always keep some money in case of emergencies”.
I went looking for the firm of Robert Hirst and found a listing and an reference to them in the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre for 1960-62, but no indication of what it was.
So I shall go looking for that too.
Location; 1962
Picture advert from the Eagle Comic, August 11, 1962 from the collection of Andrew Simpson
Robert Hirst was based in Harrogate, Yorkshire. Not only did I have a Robert Hirst school gabardine (with secret pocket!), but my father became the MD of Robert Hirst in the 1970's
ReplyDeleteMy mum worked there
DeleteI got the Big Chief Slippers Sewing Kit. Comes with grey leather fabric and pattern. The mailing envelope is dated 1962
ReplyDeleteRobert Hirst raincoats were compulsory at some Northern secondary schools - they came with a plastic key chain in the left hand pocket ( torn out by the big kids within days of starting school) 1969
ReplyDelete