Tuesday 28 July 2015

Advertising Postcard - Complete mystery! ~ Circa 1919

Having promised myself that I would not buy any more Guildford postcards until I had a firm decision on what to do with the ones I already owned I broke my own promise and bought this one! I know, I have absolutely no will power!

I was totally intrigued and the postcard was exchanged for smallish note of British currency and it came home with me. It sat on my desk glaring at me every time I reach for a pen from the pen pot on my desk. Now, several months on I still have absolutely no idea what it is all about!



So, if you have any ideas please do leave a comment. In the meantime I have sent a digital copy of it to the Owston (Ouston) One-Name Study registrant.


10 comments:

  1. It is some kind of rebus. House - ton's (goodness knows) line hoe? I know this last bit doesn't make sense but given that he is H Ouston the first but does. Would help if we knew what the slightly dodgy looking middle symbol is.

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  2. I thought the first graphic is 20lbs & the second one wheat.

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  3. What was H. Ouston's business? That would give a clue.

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  4. It's definitely a ton (20 hundredweight).

    H. Ouston's ? Lino.

    http://www.1900s.org.uk/images-1938-table-receipt.htm may be a later manifestation of his business. Most fo the rest of his 'net presence relates to a 'famous' legal case (for some values of fame).

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    1. Thanks for sharing the URL it is one I had not come across before. I haven't had chance to Google him that is next on the list!

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  5. Ouston's Cork Lino - Harry Carter Ouston's business in later years was floor coverings!

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  6. Ah-ha! Is that middle symbol a wheat stock?

    H. Ouston's stock lino.

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    1. I wondered that. It is a curious postcard!

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    2. I wonder how much business it drummed up?

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    3. I suspect that it was a curious marketing ploy of the time & that those who didn't get the clues might have visited the store to find the answer!

      I have just re-read your suggestion about wheat, whilst I had the wheat bit, I had not taken the thought a step further to (wheat) stock Lino.

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