3 amusing old Maltese adverts offer insight to a different way of life
6 July 2015, published by LITTLEROCK.com.mt
Source: website.lineone.net
Far from skimpy, the bathing costumes advertised in this advert by H. McBailey & Co Specialists in Men's Wear offer plenty of coverage: the ladies costume covers from shoulders to knees, while even the men wear a suit that is very modest, with a singlet and shorts down to mid-thigh. Notice also the availability of bathing slippers and bathing wrappers - it is important to be properly kitted up for the occasion.
Will you be enjoying a nice pint?
Far from skimpy, the bathing costumes advertised in this advert by H. McBailey & Co Specialists in Men's Wear offer plenty of coverage: the ladies costume covers from shoulders to knees, while even the men wear a suit that is very modest, with a singlet and shorts down to mid-thigh. Notice also the availability of bathing slippers and bathing wrappers - it is important to be properly kitted up for the occasion.
Will you be enjoying a nice pint?
Source: website.lineone.net
"The Forces favourite" Farsons claims about its Hopleaf Blue Label beer, as sailor and soldier illustrations smile happily over their full glasses of beer. "A lot more good drinks between pay parades ... " is obviously targeting the army and navy's reputed love of booze with a more-for-your-money promise, a marketing ploy still well-used in businesses today.
Ah, the pay parade. Marching up to 6ft table, Pay Master with hat on, number - rank - name, check pace, produce pay-book from left-breast pocket, hand to Pay Sergeant who checks amount entitled to from list, Pay Master enters amount in pay-book, stamps it, and counts out beer-tokens less barrack-room damages. "Pay in pay-book correct, Sir," salute, smart turn to the right, and then "brassic" (broke) by the end of the week! (With thanks to iolis for the elaboration.)
Will you be shopping at the best department store?
"The Forces favourite" Farsons claims about its Hopleaf Blue Label beer, as sailor and soldier illustrations smile happily over their full glasses of beer. "A lot more good drinks between pay parades ... " is obviously targeting the army and navy's reputed love of booze with a more-for-your-money promise, a marketing ploy still well-used in businesses today.
Ah, the pay parade. Marching up to 6ft table, Pay Master with hat on, number - rank - name, check pace, produce pay-book from left-breast pocket, hand to Pay Sergeant who checks amount entitled to from list, Pay Master enters amount in pay-book, stamps it, and counts out beer-tokens less barrack-room damages. "Pay in pay-book correct, Sir," salute, smart turn to the right, and then "brassic" (broke) by the end of the week! (With thanks to iolis for the elaboration.)
Will you be shopping at the best department store?
Originally founded in 1877, this British company supplied goods to various sections of the military, expanding into other branches until it embraced all goods imaginable. It had various branches throughout the British Empire and also ran most of the shops aboard the naval ships. Notice the odd insertion of Total Sales figure on the top left, intended to demonstrate the success and reliability of the company's product and service; this would be very unusual to reveal in today's business practices.
Here in Malta the first branch was in Merchants street, opposite St James Church. The premises became too small for the continuously increasing products and a palatial house in Strada Reale was acquired. The premises in the picture is the one sited in Strada Reale; people well acquainted with Valletta may recognise it as the premises of the La Vallette Band Club. Business went sour for the mother company in the early 1930s and was absorbed into the renowned firm House of Fraser. (With thanks toJoseph Piccinino for the picture and elaboration.)
Here in Malta the first branch was in Merchants street, opposite St James Church. The premises became too small for the continuously increasing products and a palatial house in Strada Reale was acquired. The premises in the picture is the one sited in Strada Reale; people well acquainted with Valletta may recognise it as the premises of the La Vallette Band Club. Business went sour for the mother company in the early 1930s and was absorbed into the renowned firm House of Fraser. (With thanks toJoseph Piccinino for the picture and elaboration.)
