Cheaper Collection

An engraving depicting the production of flake cocoa by grinding roasted cocoa beans
5310629 An engraving depicting the production of flake cocoa by grinding roasted cocoa beans. Cocoa was a cheaper product than chocolate as it was produced from beans which had not been as thoroughly

The Last of the Coaches'. The Royal Mail coach service, begun in the 1780s
541229 The Last of the Coaches'. The Royal Mail coach service, begun in the 1780s, flourished until the coming of the railways in 1830. (c1845)

Man, woman & small boy working wheel for combing long staple wool into slivers for worsted manufacture
538585 Man, woman & small boy working wheel for combing long staple wool into slivers for worsted manufacture, c.1845 (engraving); (add.info.: Man)

Weymoor Post Office and Hall's Newsagents Shop, Harborne, south-west Birmingham. Note the K3 telephone box/booth/kiosk (right) - the K3, introduced in 1929, again by Giles Gilbert Scott

Punch cartoon: Bos Americanus; or, Yankee Beef and British Butcher - expected benefits to consumers of importing
6034865 Punch cartoon: Bos Americanus; or, Yankee Beef and British Butcher - expected benefits to consumers of importing American meat (engraving) by Tenniel

Comic postcard, Mother craft class for girls Date: 20th century

Knitted womens cardigans 1940
Page from a magazine showing two models wearing knitted cardigans. With the onset of World War Two and the introduction of rationing, many chose to knit their own clothes as a cheaper alternative

Knitted swim wear 1940
Page from a magazine showing a model wearing a knitted bikini. Date: 1940

Punch cartoon: The Poor Mans Friend - gas as a cheap alternative to coal (engraving)
6034956 Punch cartoon: The Poor Mans Friend - gas as a cheap alternative to coal (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Punch cartoon)

Woolly step-ins & dressy jumper 1940 Woolly step-ins & dressy jumper 1940
Womens clothing in wool with stitch pattern. Date: 1940

Silhouette advertisement for Lapidosus Limited
Silhouette advertisement by H.L. Oakley for Lapidosus Limited of High Holborn, London. Depicting the history of work in stone through the ages, with Stonehenge in the Stone Age

Knitting pattern 1949
Knitting pattern providing instructions on how to make a sweater with button front, short sleeve, high neck and small collar. 1949

Knitting pattern 1943
Warm wool lies... Vest and pants for the long winter evenings. A 1940s knitting pattern providing instructions on how to make a womans vest and pants

Knitting pattern 1945
A 1940s knitting pattern providing instructions on how to make a step in slip. With the onset of World War Two and the introduction of rationing

Advertisement for Robbialac paint, from Jenson & Nicholson of Stratford, East London. It costs less than wallpaper, slightly more than distemper, but its durability makes it far cheaper than either

Home-made toys for Christmas 1942
Everyone is making toys. Noah never saw so many animals as are coming out of scrap-bags in every household for Christmas. The diagram given for the four animals shown are easy to follow. 1942

Knitting pattern 1944
A 1940s knitting pattern providing instructions on how to make a tuck in blouse and three-toned jacket. With the onset of World War Two and the introduction of rationing

Home-made dolly for Christmas 1944
A cutie to make at home. Cut out pattern for a home-made dolly. 1944

Man, woman & small boy working wheel for combing long staple wool into slivers for worsted manufacture. Substitution of wheel for hand combing meant more of fleece could be used

Cheshire Salt Mines, England: Miners gathering loose rock salt after blasting and loading it into horse-drawn tub for hoisting to surface

The Last of the Coaches. The Royal Mail coach service, begun in the 1780s, flourished until the coming of the railways in 1830

Double inclined plane for moving tub boats from one level to another on a canal.. Boats were lowered on rails and counterbalanced by a tub containing water

Knitting pattern for a baby 1941
A 1940s knitting pattern providing instructions on how to make a knitted dress for a baby. With the onset of World War Two and the introduction of rationing

Knitting pattern 1941
A 1940s knitting pattern providing instructions on how to make a v-neck cardigan. With the onset of World War Two and the introduction of rationing

Knitting pattern
A 1940s knitting pattern providing instructions on how to make a tuck-in blouse. With the onset of World War Two and the introduction of rationing

Poster advertising Silver City Air Ferry
Poster advertising the Silver City Air Ferry for you and your car. Its cheaper, quicker, and easily the best way to cross the Channel

TIN MOULDS
Tin moulds were quite a lot cheaper than copper moulds, around 5 shillings apiece; though even that is quite a lot by todays standards

The Pasha & the Merchant
THE PASHA AND THE MERCHANT A Greek merchant agrees that he will pay three Turks to protect his goods, as they will do this at a cheaper rate than the pasha

untidy Bookshop Window
SALE! Don t judge our shop by its windows, we can t dress windows, but we can sell books cheaper than anyone else in London!

Toys on Xmas Card 1916
Various toys ride together in a carriage at Christmas; its cheaper that way

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"Discovering the Art of Cheaper Living: A Glimpse into the Past" Step back in time with us as we explore a collection of artifacts and images that offer a fascinating insight into the concept of "cheaper" during different eras. From knitting patterns to postcards, these glimpses from history shed light on how people sought affordable options for various aspects of their lives. In 1941, knitting patterns were all the rage, providing women with an economical way to create stylish garments at home. The Weymoor Post Office and Hall's Newsagents Shop served as hubs for community interaction and access to affordable reading materials. A Punch cartoon from that same era titled "Bos Americanus; or, Yankee Beef and British Butcher" humorously highlighted the expected benefits consumers could enjoy by importing American meat. This engraving reflects society's fascination with finding cheaper alternatives without compromising quality. Another comic postcard depicts a mother craft class for girls in the 20th century. It showcases how young ladies were taught skills that would enable them to save money by creating their own clothing items. Moving forward to 1940, knitted women's cardigans and swimwear became popular choices for those seeking fashionable yet inexpensive attire. The versatility of wool allowed individuals to stay trendy while keeping costs down. During this period, gas emerged as a cheap alternative to coal, as depicted in another Punch cartoon titled "The Poor Man's Friend. " This engraving highlights society's continuous search for more cost-effective solutions in daily life. Silhouette advertisements from Lapidosus Limited demonstrate how businesses capitalized on offering budget-friendly products tailored specifically towards consumer needs. Knitting patterns from subsequent years such as 1949, 1943, and 1945 showcase ongoing efforts by individuals to embrace frugality through handmade creations. These patterns provided step-by-step instructions on crafting affordable yet stylish garments at home – empowering people economically during challenging times.