Adverts are a sign of the times in ’37

A perfectly preserved copy has been sent in by Kit Taylor, of The Phelps, Kidlington, who found it in her father’s belongings.

It was published on May 12, 1937, the day the King – thrust into the limelight by the abdication of his brother, Edward VIII – was crowned at Westminster Abbey.

It included features on the King’s life and his suitability to be the sovereign, his Queen (better known to us as the late Queen Mother), their two daughters, Elizabeth – later Queen Elizabeth II – and Margaret, and other members of the Royal Family.

The centre pages were filled with pictures of the Coronation rehearsal and other Royal events.

Other pages were devoted to the history of the Crown Jewels, Westminster Abbey and the British Empire.

But perhaps of more interest to present-day readers are the advertisements in the supplement, many placed by well-known Oxford businesses.

On page two, in colour, was one for Webbers, the High Street store, and on page nine, one for Elliston & Cavell in Magdalen Street, which both proudly announced that they had lived through five reigns.

Other local firms advertising included Minns the builders, at 67-68 St Aldate’s, Badcocks, the fashion specialists in Queen Street, Robert R Alden, butchers in the Covered Market, and Herbert Dulake and Co, estate agents and auctioneers in Cornmarket Street.

There were also adverts for Stephensons, the builders’ merchants in Botley Road, City Motors in Gloucester Street, Morris Garages in Cornmarket Street and Longwall Street, Hartwells in Park End Street and Banbury Road, GR Cooper in St Ebbe’s Street, and the Oxford Co-operative Society.

Morrells Brewery invited customers to taste a special Coronation Ale.

Other advertisements were for the Clarendon Hotel in Cornmarket Street, which made way for Woolworths and later the Clarendon Centre, and the New Theatre which was generally acknowledged at the time as England’s finest.

Any memories of these time-honoured names to share with readers?