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The WHS Pen, produced by Conway Stewart (early 1900s)

#whsmith #w h smith #w h smith & son #vintage #pens #stationery #fountain pen #early 1900s

triviaproofing

#353: “The A & P was the first chain-store business to be established. It began in 1842.”

False.

That honor actually belongs to W H Smith, a British company known for its chain of service station stores. Smith’s, as it’s colloquially known, was established in 1792.

Furthermore, A&P was established in 1859, not 1842. However, the A&P is the first American chain store.

logopops

WHSmith, Tonbridge (2017/2018)

Logo date: 1975-1994

It’s remarkable how much people love the old WHSmith cube logo and subsequently went stir crazy when that retro facade was recreated in Camden for filming of an episode of Black Mirror. WHSmith rolled it back out again on merchandise and carriers last year to celebrate their 225th anniversary. Imagine having a proud heritage of over 200 years as a company but your last fifteen being really, really shit.

This old cube logo is only to be found at the rear of the store but, thrillingly, the cube decal still lives on the front entrance doors. A recent refit to incorporate the Post Office and installation of automatic doors reduced the door-cube-decal-count from four down to two but you take what you can get.

Also worth noting - Tonbridge is rare in having *two* WHSmith stores just a few yards apart, one specialising in stationery and the other news, mags and books.

Thanks to @BryanRoberts72 and @hmsstrongbow on Twitter for the photos