Jane’s Avionics 1986-87

Properly known as Jane’s Information Group, the company was founded in 1898 by Fred Jane and though originally devoted to shipping yearbooks has now grown to cover marine, railway, aviation and other military topics. Jane’s is famous for the depth of knowledge it publishes in its books, which cover each topic from a global perspective. We already have a few of these publications in the archive but this is the first avionics volume we have.

Like an encyclopaedia, every topic is thoroughly described; it is an excellent reference book in its field. Contents in this volume include Sensors; Data Processing; Data Management; Displays; Radio Communications; and Training Systems. Of course for the archive our particular interest in is the advertisements of which a number are illustrated.

The Journal of Decorative Art 1928

Coming back from picking up the latest Glen Smale collection from South Wales we decided to break the journey home with a pub lunch in Machynlleth as I knew there was a bookshop in the town I fancied visiting. Following a most enjoyable lunch at the White Lion we made our way down to “LITERARY CAT BOOKS” where we were warmly welcomed by Jenny who was in charge of the shop that day. The first find (of a number) was four copies of “The Journal of Decorative Art” (full title “The Journal of Decorative Art and British Decorator with which is incorporated the Wallpaper News”). This is a title we do not have in the archive so I was immediately drawn to acquiring them. On closer inspection I discovered that this journal was devoted to the interests of the painting and decorating trade in the British Isles.

The journal contains many fabulous advertisements devoted to all of the supplies that any self-respecting decorator would require: paints, brushes and all types of papers. One particular advertisement that caught my eye (not a very prepossessing one I have to say) was for Mander Brothers, manufacturers of varnishes, paints and enamels. The reason it caught my eye was that I was brought up near Wolverhampton and this was a famous name in the town. Mander Brothers was founded in 1773 and went on to become the top manufacturer of inks and paints in the British Empire by the 19th century. Between 1968 and 1974 Manders Holdings PLC built the Mander Centre at the heart of the town. The Centre still exists (though heavily modernised and changed from the days I knew it).

As an aside, but very relevant to this article, I would highly recommend that if you are in the Wolverhampton area you should go and visit Wightwick Manor. The house was built by Theodore Mander between 1887 and 1893 and has fabulous Arts and Crafts features throughout. Theodore’s wife Flora was a keen supporter of the arts and put together (in my opinion) one of the best collections of Pre-Raphaelite paintings that are still in their original home. The house is now in the keeping of the National Trust.

Racing Illustrated 1895

One of the great things about our open evenings is the congenial chatting and conversation that goes on. At our last evening Anthony Hall was telling me about some old magazines he had seen in a charity shop in Stockport. Were we interested, he enquired? Of course we were and our hot negotiator Dickie set off the following day to track down said magazines. The end result of all this was the acquisition into the archive of six copies of RACING ILLUSTRATED. The fascinating thing when looking at these issues is the fact they are six of the first sixteen issues and we can follow the problem all magazines have in attracting advertisers to a new and unknown title. Issue 2 published on 9th July 1895 features blank pages where advertising would normally appear. By issue 5, published on 30th July, the issue is complete with advertisements on the inside of the covers and on the rear cover. Issues from No. 6 onwards, however, only have rear cover advertisements.

Digging around I have failed to find any evidence of copies after 1896 and I am led to the conclusion that the magazine failed due to lack of sales and the failure to attract long-term advertisers. It is a shame, as the magazine is printed on good-quality art paper and features excellent photography and editorial on the leading lights of horse racing (owners, jockeys and some of the top horses).

The Railway and Commercial Gazetteer 1874

One here for all the railway buffs out there. This is the 7th edition of the Gazetteer, first published in 1868, and features a comprehensive listing of all the railway stations in Great Britain. Out of curiosity I looked up our local station in Stockport and discovered that the town’s population was 29,931 (291,775 in 2018); the distance to London 183 miles (not changed) and was serviced by the London & North Western Railway Company.

Each railway company has their own advertisement extolling all of the services they have to offer and there is also advertising for ancillary services such as steamship and ferry services.

Shipbuilding and Shipping Record

Started c1910 this title is another new one to the archive and we have just obtained 36 copies from the late 1940s through to the 1960s.

As expected, the magazine is completely focused (as is its advertising) on shipping and shipping-related activity. Regular features include shipping statistics, the freight market, and the share market but alongside this there are a number of articles each week devoted to shipping matters of interest. Each issue contains about 34 pages of editorial with probably as many pages of advertisements. Advertising ranges from the small (light bulbs) to the enormous (buy your ship here). Everything else in between also seems to be covered, from dockyard cranes to tools and ship’s fittings. All in all these are great sources of information for anyone researching shipping.

Your invitation…

Come along to our next open evening on Monday 11th April from 7pm to view these new titles and many others.