In early May 1925, this large advert appeared, as a one-off, in the Gazette.

A newspaper advert for Puritan Soap - 'Better Gifts with Better Soaps'. There is a letter from the 'Puritan Girl' in the middle offering readers a coupon for savings on soap

Puritan Soap Advert

Christopher Thomas & Bros Ltd were founded in Wales but by the 1840s had merged with a Bristol company. Their factory in Broad Plain, Bristol was impressive. Soap making in the city was particularly profitable in the mid 1800s. At that time Bristol was third only to London and Liverpool in the production of soap. However, by the late 1880s, the Bristol firm was finding it difficult to compete with the larger concerns especially the fledgling, but quickly expanding, Lever Bros who were hitting the headlines with their ‘Sunlight’ soap. Eventually they sold out to Lever Bros in 1912 but the ‘Puritan’ brand was continued. The factory at Broad Plain continued in use until 1954.

Levers Bros were pioneers in the field of marketing, including gift schemes as described in the advert.

Two joined bars of Puritan soap with their original box

Puritan Olive Oil Soap

It is always amazing at how easy it is, usually, to find objects in the Museum to link with the news in the Gazette but it was particularly surprising to find the exact article! This olive oil soap was the product launched by Christopher Thomas to rival the Lever Bros Sunlight soap.

A metal sign for 'Hudson's Soap'

Hudson’s Soap Sign

Robert Spear Hudson founded his soap business in the Midlands in 1837. Before the days of Pears and Lever Brothers he produced innovative advertisements and was very successful. He exported soap to Australia and New Zealand but eventually his firm, too, was amalgamated with Lever Bros in 1908.

Metal sign for 'Sunlight Soap'

Sunlight Soap Sign  

Launched in 1884 and still available today, Sunlight is known worldwide. It also gave its name to the village built by Lever Brothers in the 19th century for their workers. Port Sunlight, on the Wirral, remains largely unchanged since its foundation in 1888.

Come to the Museum and find two of the above signs , not so easy to spot, look down rather than up!!

Written by Museum Volunteer, Sue B