thoughts of a
Retired Curator

Now working towards
Tower Maven-hood

"You do not become a Maven overnight"

41 Years at The Royal Armouries in the Tower of London is just the start

Recent Posts

Players Flavour of Freshness_web
Player’s “Country Life” – The Flavour of Freshness
Ref: Published Punch, January 23, 1924 John Player and Sons Nottingham based tobacco manufactory opened in 1877, becoming one of the major British producers....
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09 - De Reszke - The Sphere 22 Oct 1927 p179
De Reszke – The Aristocrat of Cigarettes
Albert Bailey’s advert perfectly captures the aspirational use of the sporting firearm.
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Marcovitch_web
Marcovitch cigarettes - Quality not Quantity.
Published: Punch, 3 November 1920 This 1920 advertisement might seem out of place in the Smoking Gun gallery.  The gun reference lies in the rather old...
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A splendid place to spend a happy day - Front - Web Size
‘A splendid place to spend a happy day’
The 1870s Tower welcome. This is probably one of the earliest photographic images of Yeoman Warders that ended up in popular circulation – albeit 30 years...
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02 - Maxim - ILN 13 January 1900 p60
Ogden’s “Guinea-Gold” - Maximizing the brand
In January 1900 Britain was at war again in the South Africa and Ogden’s re-deployed their 1897 Maxim gun advert, suitably updated and unsubtle in its...
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Three Nuns
Tobacco Inaction
As the reality of 20th century warfare engulfed civilian life, advertisers had to decide how best to deal with it. Most bit the bullet weaving wartime...
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Site Changes- Corrections and Additional Content,

Added Content under the Images in the Ogden Maxim Gallery

Updated Maxim PowerPoint

Initial Release