original advertising

[James stringer]

Hi chris,

Good to see the site being developed.

I did wonder if lack of "variation". was down to funding.

Most of there signs tend to advertise sales and services. Wich suggest they are showroom signs. But surely austin had as many outlets as morris.

It's strange there signage advertising, rearly included individual models as well, nothing with austin 7, 10, 12, 16, 20. On, just sales or service?

I would have though showrooms would have more advertising up. On individual models + prices.

Under morris, I have several individuals models and prices on advertising. Especially on cardboard.

Tony.

Hi Tony, 
The simple answer to your question would be that a vitreous enamel sign would be expected to be in place for a considerable number of years, hence simply 'Ausin Service' or 'Austin Dealer'. To advertise an individual Austin model, such as for example the 'Seven' would simply not have been cost effective as changes in their design every year or so would have given such signs only a very short life span.
Jim.

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Any sensible views on why there seams to be so little original austin advertising surviving.

There seams to be plenty of paperwork / catalogues. Pre-war and vintage.

But not much signage etc. Especially pre-war.

We're as there seams to be plenty of morris??

Thanks Tony.

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Hi Tony,
What a fantastic couple of early signs. May I suggest that these date from the very early beginnings of the Austin Motor Company and would confidently date them as being around 1907/8.
Jim.