Events
Upcoming heritage open days and events at the Richard Roberts Archive
At the Vintage Print Advertising Archive, we believe in fostering a vibrant community of enthusiasts, researchers, and supporters who share our passion for preserving the rich heritage of print advertising. To meet that end, we regularly organise a diverse array of events, providing opportunities for exploration, education, and celebration.
Heritage Open Days 2024 - Advertising communication through the ages, from travel to telephones
Welcome, Heritage Open Days explorers!
This year we are open with our pop-up café, special talks and tours throughout the day. Come along and learn about how products have been advertised through the years and meet the trustees.
Open Evening - August 2024
Join Richard and the volunteers at the archive for our May 2024 open evening.
Free refreshments and free cake will be your reward, as well the chance to look at more lovely new stuff just acquired by the Archive.
Open Evening - May 2024
Join Richard and the volunteers at the archive for our May 2024 open evening.
Free refreshments and free cake will be your reward, as well the chance to look at more lovely new stuff just acquired by the Archive.
Open Evening - April 2024
Join Richard and the volunteers at the archive for our April 2024 open evening.
Free refreshments and free cake will be your reward, as well the chance to look at more lovely new stuff just acquired by the Archive.
Open Evening - March 2024
Join Richard and the volunteers at the archive for our March 2024 open evening.
Free refreshments and free cake will be your reward, as well the chance to look at more lovely new stuff just acquired by the Archive.
Christmas Open Evening 2023
Join Richard and the volunteers at the archive for our December 2023 Christmas Party!
Open Evening - November 2023
Join Richard and the volunteers at the archive for our November 2023 open evening.
As some of you may have seen in our newsletter a few days ago, we have a big new acquisition: a 1937 Austin Seven Ruby! Come and have look!
Open Evening - October 2023
Join Richard and the volunteers at the archive for our September 2023 open evening. Free refreshments and free cake will be your reward, as well the chance to look at more lovely new stuff just acquired by the Archive.
Open Evening - September 2023
Join Richard and the volunteers at the archive for our September 2023 open evening. Free refreshments and free cake will be your reward, as well the chance to look at more lovely new stuff just acquired by the Archive.
Heritage Open Days 2023 - Discover 100 years of print advertising in Stockport
Welcome, Heritage Open Days explorers!
This year we are open with our pop-up café, special talks and tours throughout the day. Come along and learn about how products have been advertised through the years and meet the trustees.
Open Evening - August 2023
Join Richard and the volunteers at the archive for our August 2023 open evening. Free refreshments and free cake will be your reward, as well the chance to look at more lovely new stuff just acquired by the Archive.
Open Evening - July 2023
Join Richard and the volunteers at the archive for our July 2023 open evening. PLEASE NOTE: we’re back to the traditional second Monday in the month. To celebrate this return to normality, there will be free cake (ah…, we’ve used that joke before…)
Open Evening - January 2023
Happy New Year from everyone at the Richard Roberts Archive!
Join Richard and the trustee team at the January Open Evening.
View our latest acquisitions, enjoy a slice of cake and catch up with new and old friends alike.
Show your support for the archive by attending - maybe even bring a friend.
Heritage Open Days - Open Evening
A Heritage Open Days special open evening. We open the doors to our “strictly by appointment” advertising archive on the second monday of every month. This month we have a talk from our founder Richard Roberts on the Astounding Inventions that influenced printed advertising over the last century. Join us!
Heritage Open Days 2022
Welcome Heritage Open Days explorers! Join the trustees at the Richard Roberts Advertising Archive in Stockport for our open day on Saturday 10th Spetember 2022. We have special talks and guided tours and refreshments throughout the day. Mark this event in your diary - it will be an open day not to be missed!
Open Evening - April 2022
Join us for this month’s open evening at the archive.
See - our latest aquisitions
Discover - something new from our trustees
Enjoy - a cup of tea and a slice of cake
Open Evening - March 2022
Join us on March 13th 2022 at 7pm for our monthly open evening at the archive in Stockport
February 2022 Open Evening
Our next monthly open evening will be on Monday 14th February.
Yes, I know it is Valentine’s Day but I like to keep consistency with our regular events.
Hopefully this will not deter too many people from attending so come along, have a coffee and some cake, and take a look at the latest acquisitions.
See you there!
Richard Roberts
Open Evening - November 2021
Our monthly archive open evening series continues.
See - our latest acquisitions.
Discover - chat with our trustees and volunteers about your research interests. Challenge us to find items within our collections.
Enjoy - a slice of cake and a cup of tea or coffee while networking with fellow supporters and researchers.
The fire is primed, the kettle is on from 7pm. See you there!
More information: richardrobertsarchive@gmail.com
Open Evening Special - September 2021
During our special post-lockdown open evening we will be showing all the recent finds from September plus a selection of our favourites from the last 14 months.
We are very lucky to have Peter Moss with us to give a special talk called ‘Making of Making a Marque’. Peter Moss and Richard Roberts used The Richard Roberts Archive to draw together hundreds of wonderful examples of promotion and advertising of Rolls-Royce cars for their book, ‘Making a Marque: Rolls-Royce Motor Car Promotion 1904-1940’ which was published earlier this year.
This fascinating talk will discuss how Peter, and co-author Richard Roberts, selected examples for use in their book.
Already bought a copy of their book? Please bring it along to be signed by Peter and Richard.
Our pop-up ‘Hive Café’ will offer a selection of delicious cakes to enjoy with locally sourced tea and coffee for a small donation to the archive charity.
Entry to this event is free and pre-booking is not required.
Workshop: ‘You’ve never had it so good’: Mass motoring and your first car with Dr Craig Horner, Trustee.
Many working-class families bought their first car in the post-war years, especially the 50s, 60s and 70s. While some bought second-hand, the market for new cars blossomed. Motor manufacturers advertised their models as never before. The motor car appeared to be the way of the future: new motorways and bypasses coincided with a state-planned decline in the rail network.
This workshop will look at some of the advertising of the time – the iconic cars such as the Morris Minor, the Mini, and the first Cortina and many more. But more people on the road created bigger issues that had to be addressed: drink-driving, the compulsory wearing of seat belts. Campaigns for these were also promoted widely. Meanwhile, a new market in ‘goodies’ thrived, for example for heaters, which remained an optional extra well into the 60s.
Join us to reminisce about your first motoring trips!
Max 6 participants. BOOKING ESSENTIAL.
Workshop: ‘The changing face of artwork in advertising’ with trustee and founder, Richard Roberts.
As technology and new developments come along then so do the opportunities for this to be applied to advertising copy. From the early days of printing words and pictures using printing blocks and typeset wording through to the modern digital age, we follow the changes in technology through its application in advertising showing items from the archive.
See examples of block printing from the 1850s; beautiful engravings from the late 19th century; the introduction of colour printing and the growth of the commercial artist; its gradual replacement by photography and then the unlimited opportunities for creativity offered by the digital age.
Max 6 participants. BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Open House
Be our guest!
For the first time since the national restrictions began in March 2020 we are opening our doors and inviting all our friends to join us for a very special Heritage Open Days ‘Open House’.
SEE our archive collections with guided tours running through the day.
LEARN something new at our workshops in the newly refurbished reading room hosted by our trustees Richard Roberts and Dr Craig Horner.
ENJOY a slice of cake and some delicious locally sourced tea and coffee in our pop-up ‘Hive’.
Booking is required for the workshops as there is a limited number of 6 participants for each session. General admission to the building, including guided tours or to enjoy some tasty treats at our pop-up ‘Hive Café’ is free. Please note, the last tour will take place at 4 pm and our last admission to the building is 4:30 pm.
This event will be hosted in accordance with national Coronavirus government guidelines in force on the day of the event.
Our events
Open Evenings
Join us for our monthly Open Evenings, where you can immerse yourself in the world of vintage advertising. These casual gatherings offer a chance to explore our extensive collections, engage with fellow enthusiasts, and learn from our knowledgeable volunteers. Whether you're a seasoned researcher or simply curious about the art and history of print advertising, our Open Evenings provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
Guided Tours
To enhance your experience during our Heritage Open Days, we offer guided tours led by our knowledgeable and passionate volunteers. These experts will take you on a journey through time, uncovering the stories, strategies, and cultural influences that shaped some of the most iconic advertising campaigns of the past. From the bold and daring to the subtle and understated, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry and creativity that went into crafting these enduring masterpieces.
Heritage Open Days
Our Heritage Open Days are a highlight of our calendar, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the fascinating world of print advertising from bygone eras. During these special events, we open our doors to the public, allowing unrestricted access to our meticulously curated archive, which showcases a diverse range of advertisements, spanning various industries, styles, and time periods.
Exhibitions and Displays
In addition to our permanent collections, we often curate special exhibitions and displays to coincide with our Heritage Open Days. These temporary showcases delve into specific themes, industries, or eras, offering visitors a focused exploration of the diverse facets of print advertising. Whether you're interested in the evolution of typography, the rise of brand identities, or the cultural impact of advertising on society, these immersive exhibitions are sure to captivate and enlighten.
Activities and Workshops
To make your visit even more engaging and interactive, we may offer various activities and workshops during our Heritage Open Days. From hands-on creative sessions, where you can try your hand at vintage-inspired design techniques, to insightful talks and discussions led by industry experts, these additional offerings provide a well-rounded and enriching experience. Stay tuned for our upcoming Heritage Open Days and Open Evenings, as we continuously strive to preserve and share the rich legacy of print advertising with the world. Join us on these special occasions and embark on a journey through time, where the art, creativity, and cultural significance of vintage advertising come alive.