I do like early newspaper advertising, and here is a gem I couldn’t keep to myself: check out this interesting strategy, found in an 1899 edition of Papur Pawb (‘everyone’s paper’).

We have a Sheffield watch-seller, co-opting the image of a barrister to flog merchandise and finance deals. So, unlike the much more common negative/humorously mocking use of the image of a lawyer, we have to assume that this is thought to be something which will increase trust in the seller and product. And maybe an overtone of it being a posh accoutrement of the sort a privileged professional might sport?

I imagine that this was a campaign throughout Britain, but there are extra dimensions when it is placed in a Welsh-language title. How would this audience have viewed the London-dominated bar? And could pawb really afford to blow 50 shillings on a watch?

See also this from 1908, working a bit of verb/noun humour with ‘counsel’:

GS

17/1/2024