An eclectic array of adverts for Bristol businesses from 1947

AG Farmer & Sons Ltd. Registered offices and factories: Winterstoke Road, Ashton, Bristol. “Manufacturers of utility furniture. Specialists in the manufacture of furniture for schools, institutions, hospitals and to specifications.”

Anderson’s Rubber Company Ltd “for fine waterproofs, weatherproofs and everything in rubber”. 39-40 High St, Bristol.

Averys of Bristol. “Shippers of fine wines since 1793 (including Averys Bristol Milk Sherry).” 7 Park Street, Bristol, England.

BC Shepherd Ltd. “Drapers, outfitters and furnishers of proved reliability for over 50 years.” West Street, St Philip’s.

The Berkeley, 15-19 Queen’s Road. “The largest and most up-to-date cafe in Bristol. Seating capacity over 1,200. Music by the Berkeley Orchestra. Plays 3 sessions each day. Delightful morning coffee. Lounge on ground floor. Dance teas in the Queen’s Hall every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 3pm to 5.30pm.”

Bristol Corporation Electricity Department, Dorset House, Clifton Down. “Drive it electrically! Instal (sic) electricity and reduce manufacturing costs. Electricity for power at special cheap rates. Free advice on factory layout.”

Carwardines. “There is only one ‘T’ in Bristol…”

The Cathedral Garage Ltd, College Green, Bristol. “Humber, Hillman, Sunbeam-Talbot cars. Commer, Karrier trucks.”

Chappell & Matthews. “House & estate agents, auctioneers & valuers. 151 Whiteladies Road, Bristol.

Clifton Greys Coach. “When you have ‘seen’ Bristol, visit the surrounding beauty spots in the comfort of a Clifton Greys Coach. All enquiries to Head Office: 73 Whiteladies Road, Clifton.”

Coal Agencies Ltd. “Contractors to HM Government, Bristol Corporation, Somerset County Council etc. House, gas & manufacturing coals, coalite, coke, anthracite, phurnod, phurnacite.” St Philip’s Bridge, Bristol

William Cowlin & Son Ltd. Builders: Stratton Street, Bristol 2. Decorators, house and estate agents: 29 Princess Victoria Street, Bristol 8.

Fears. “Unbreakable waterproof wrist watch. Guaranteed 10 years.” 7 Richmond Terrace, Queen’s Road.

Feathery Flake. “Many important and well-known articles have originated in Bristol, amongst them Feathery Flake, the quality self raising flour. Feathery Flake was first made and packed in a small shop in Bristol, 70 years ago. To-day it is manufactured by the latest electrical machinery in six factories in different parts of England and Wales, and has become famous everywhere for its outstanding quality, purity and reliability.” The Victoria Flour Co, 6 Portland Square, Bristol 2

Ferris & Co Ltd. “Wholesale and export chemists. Specialists in industrial first aid equipment.” Laboratories and warehouse: 13 Redcross Street, Bristol 2. Retail and surgical departments: 23-27 St Stephen’s Street, Bristol 1

FG Paddock’ & Co, Fishponds, Bristol. “Britain’s largest manufacturers of hand-made fur-backed gloves.”

Frost & Reed Ltd. “Colour prints for the home. The ‘Homelovers’ series of prints published by Frost & Reed Ltd comprise the best selection by famous contemporary artists reproduced in high quality facsimile.” Galleries: 10 Clare Street, Bristol 1; 41 New Bond Street, London W1

Fry’s. “Makers of good chocolate.”

Grosvenor Hotel, Victoria Street. “50 bedrooms (all hot and cold water). Garage, restaurant, bars, fully licensed. Most centrally situated.”

Hornby’s Dairies. “Bristol’s safest milk.” Head office: 23/31 Whatley Road.

John Bennett, 82 Park Street. “High class jeweller.”

John Harvey & Sons Ltd. “Shippers of the world-famous sherries. ‘Bristol Mil’ and ‘Bristol Cream’ etc etc.”

Jolly & Son Ltd, 62-64 Whiteladies Road, Bristol 8. “The noted house for gowns, coats, knitwear and household linen of quality.”

Lalonde Bros. & Parham, 64 Queen’s Road. “Auctioneers, surveyors, house and estate agents. Valuations for probate, mortgage and insurance purposes.”

Mark Whitwill & Son Ltd, Mill Avenue, Queen Square. “Lloyds agents. Chartered shipbrokers and insurance brokers, ship owners, forwarding agents and wharfingers.”

The Mauretania restaurant and cocktail bar, Park Street. “The fare is well cooked and varied. The wines from Averys of Bristol are of the best and most moderately priced. The rooms are attractive and comfortable. Their mahogany and walnut panellings are from the famous SS Mauretania. You may go farther but you will not fare better than at The Mauretania.”

James Phillips of Bristol & Sons Ltd, Union Street. “Complete house and office furnishers. New and second-hand.”

Rowe Bros & Co Ltd, 39/45 Victoria Street. Works: Canon’s Marsh and Feeder Road. “Sheet lead, lead pipe, metal windows, tiled fireplaces, sanitary appliances, glass, oil and colours, canteen and kitchen equipment, plumbers’ and engineers’ tools, etc, etc.”

Rumsey Ltd, Portwall Lane, Redcliffe. “Main Ford dealers. Cars, trucks, vans, tractors.”

Simonds. “Brewed in Bristol.”

Thos. Cox & Sons, Whiteladies Gate. “Building materials of every description delivered to any site.”

William George’s Sons Ltd, 89 Park Street. “An invitation to all book lovers. When in Bristol, visit William George’s Sons Ltd. A large selection of new and up-to-date books always in stock. Special department for second-hand books. Antiquarian and modern. Educational and foreign departments.”

WD & HO Wills. “Bristol, of course, is well-known… as the home of Will’s Tobacco and Cigarettes. Since the 16th century, Bristol has been the port through which the bulk of the tobacco trade with the Americas has flowed, and the firm of Wills has been identified with this trade since 1786.”

Wyld & Co Ltd, 6 Bath Street. “Shippers of fine wines since 1803. ‘Embassy’ port and ‘Empress’ sherry etc etc. Worth waiting for.”