Saturday, December 29

Ephemera ~ Pipe Dreams


The interior of a tobacconist's shop, as seen in a Wills showcard of 1900. Note the showcards on display, the tobacco packets and the scales used for weighing out loose tobacco. Does anyone take a basket out shopping anymore? Seems like a good idea to me. I laughed at the name of the tobacco being advertised: Will's Superfine Shagg. I thought Shag(g) had an entirely different meaning in England! LOL Am I right?


This is the cover of the book the ads came from. It was published in London in 1982, by Pavillion Books Limited.

12 comments:

RC said...

I know what you mean, kenju.

When I think of Shagg, Skooby-Doo comes to mind.

Evil Twin's Wife said...

When I hear of people who are fans of shagging (the dance), I can't help but to snicker.

Not sure about baskets, but they do make reusable shopping totes now - you know, to be eco-friendly and not use paper or plastic bags. A friend from California gave me one for Christmas, but I'd need about 10 of them for my shopping trips. :-)

Anonymous said...

Ah! Shag is a bit diff on the other side of the pond!

When we lived in Seattle we were within walking distance to the grocery and drug stores. We always carried a canvas tote bag and skipped the "paper or plastic" question.

Kristi said...

LOL. Yes, "shag" does have a completely different meaning to the Brits.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

These are both quite wonderful, Judy.....The detail---particularly in that first one---really quite marvelous...And Like you, I think "shagg" does mean something else in England...LOL!

Lately, here in Los angeles, they are talking about no longer using paper baga and plastic bags and urging people to buy a carry all for their groceries...! I will be interested to see if this takes hold in a big way....! It certainlly would be better....Msybe it is time to go back to 'the basket'.

brendalove@gmail.com said...

That store clerk is looking at that woman like "Yes ma'am, that was one superfine shagg, m'lady.

whimsical brainpan said...

Love the ad!

I think we buy too much these days for baskets to be useful while shopping.

Thanks for dropping by my place.

Josh Mueslix said...

mmmm....supertime shagg...

Dianne said...

The artwork is great. When I think of "shag" (as I do from time to time!) I think of Austin Powers.

As for the baskets - I'm all for anything that stops waste and pollution but imagaine a trip to Costco. I guess they could put giant baskets on wheels - oh wait, that's a car.

Maybe we could just all consume less?

Travelin'Oma said...

I have a basket like that and when we lived in England I did take it shopping with me! Of course, I didn't wear the cute old-fashioned dress and I wasn't buying any Shaggs.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I have to send that to all my Brit friends! lol They'll love it.
~S

Anonymous said...

yh. shag means to have intercourse.. tehehehe!!!