The following advertising literature, sale notices and billheads provide an illustration of the presentation formats used by Sowmans and similar businesses at that time.

Getting rid of Thomas Cooper’s stock?

A promotional cheque book ink blotter for Bamlett’s mowers
Material kindly supplied by Alan Richardson

Postcard promoting John Bull binder twine
Postcard kindly supplied by Alan Richardson

Promotion for a handbook on poultry rearing and chicken feed
(obviously printed well before Political Correctness was invented!!)
Postcard kindly supplied by Alan Richardson

Promotional ink blotter for white lead paint
(Health & Safety issues with this one!?)
Material kindly supplied by Alan Richardson

Promotional ink blotter for Hornsby mowers & binders
Material kindly supplied by Alan Richardson

Brochure for lace making requisites
Material kindly supplied by Alan Richardson

Delivery Note or Invoice from Sowmans early years

A sample of letter headed stationery provided to Sowmans by one of their suppliers, namely: The Chemical Union Ltd, Ipswich (Joseph Fison & Co, Special Fertilisers)
Material kindly supplied by Alan Richardson

A sample of letter headed stationery provided to Sowmans by one of their suppliers, namely: Shell and Crown Motor Spirit.
Material kindly supplied by Alan Richardson

Lyon and Knight’s Olney Almanack – 1893

Extracted from ‘My look around Olney’ – Oliver Ratcliff – 1907

Notice of Weights and Measures Inspector’s visit to Olney
Material kindly supplied by Alan Richardson
Sowman’s had opened some two years previously but already were making their mark. As the above notice states, all scales not already stamped were to be brought to the shop to be checked and adjusted under the supervision of the Inspector. Included in this check were all the weights and measures in the town as they also had to comply with the new Weights and Measures Act passed in 1890.
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