KM ADVERTISING
The cover of a Wedgwood catalogue depicting Keith Murray designs alongside a model by John Skeaping. |
Keith Murray's designs were widely advertised from the time of their launch in the 1930's. With his ceramic designs being a stark contrast to Wedgwood's contemporary design of the day they needed to 'educate' the public into understanding that this was an exciting and refreshing new look to add to the modern, fashionable home. Stylish design at an affordable price. |
Aside from advertising, Keith Murray's new wares were also reviewed by many publications including 'Design for Today', 'The Architectural Review', 'The Pottery Gazette' to name but a few. These advertisements and reviews are a fascinating insight into the way Keith Murray was promoted. |
Wedgwood promotional literature featuring two-slip wares, a classical shape urn with a modern style vase. |
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Stevens & Williams, too,
were looking to boost sales via the promotion of their new, up and coming designer.
Catalogues were produced for exhibitions as well as other promotional material distributed
through the retailers. This advertisement is from the Pottery Gazette and Glass Trade Review, dated 1933. It also shows that Stevens and Williams would be at the British Industries Fair at Olympia, stand C9.
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This photograph was accompanied by the following:- R.I.B.A. GLASSWARE Messrs. Stevens and Williams have sent to me this photograph which I reproduce here illustrating the glassware made by them for the R.I.B.A. Dinner Club. All this glassware was designed by Keith Muray and is executed in full lead crystal glass. The wine glasses have hollow trumpet feet, and the two wine decanters are decorated with cut fluted facets. The base of the water jug and the stopper of the spirit bottle are decorated in the same way. The letters R.I.B.A. are engraved around the top of the wine glasses and tumblers, spaced out with stars in between, thus following out the same theme as the Wedgwood china supplied to the Royal Institute. |
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'Wedgwood - A living
tradition' This advertisement from 1936 informs us of the new two-colour wares available
on Keith Murray shapes. It goes on to inform us that 'the inside surfaces, handles and
rings are made in a cream colour Queensware and the outside surfaces are finished in a
champagne or celadon clay '. The prices for the wares ranged from 46'- for the large urn, shape 4225, and 12'6 for the small bowl, shape 4119 to 18'6 for the beer jug and 6' for the mug, shapes 4193 & 4192 consecutively. |
| Wedgwood advert placed in Design for Today magazine from July 1933. The introduction of the company's most recent ranges are shown with prices varying from 15'3 for the shallow bowl to 19'3 for the tall vase. Interestingly, the spherical vase (aka 'bomb'), priced at 5'10 was then only a little more expensive than the beer mug, priced at 3'6. |
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The Army & Navy Stores Limited was founded in 1871 by a group of Army and Navy officers. It's main purpose was to provide British officers, serving soldiers and their families with the basic necessities and luxuries of life. The society was based on the cooperative principle with share dividends available to members and was financed with an initial capital outlay of £15,000. In the 1920's, following a reduction in trade caused by the depression, the membership base was broadened to allow the general public to become members. |
| In 1934 the
society's name was changed from Army and Navy Cooperative Society Ltd., to Army and Navy
Stores. The company produced a wide range of goods ranging from simple household utility
wares to cars. Items could be ordered from a catalogue over the phone and delivered
cheaply to customers. This catalogue from 1939-40 contained a selection of ceramics designed by Keith Murray and John Skeaping and were available to the public in either white or light green only. Interestingly the designers are not mentioned but the wares referred to as being meerly Wedgwood Ware. All of the items are priced with the cost of a 'bomb' vase being 5 shillings and 9 pence and a tall, footed vase costing a staggering 38 shillings and six pence. |
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