Grace's Guide To British Industrial History

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Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 167,713 pages of information and 247,105 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 147,919 pages of information and 233,587 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

A. and F. Pears: Difference between revisions

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[[image:Im1848Sl-Pears.jpg|thumb| 1848. ]]
[[Image:Im091023OT-Pears.jpg|thumb| Advertising sign. ]]
[[Image:Im091023OT-Pears.jpg|thumb| Advertising sign. ]]
[[Image:Im200904WCL-Pears1.jpg|thumb| Advertising Sign. ]]
[[image:Im188707BOP-Pears.jpg|thumb|July 1887. Advertisement insert in Boy's Own Paper.]]
[[image:Im188707BOP-Pears (2).jpg|thumb| July 1887. Advertisement insert in Boy's Own Paper.]]
[[image:Im188707BOP-Pears100.jpg|thumb|July 1887. Facsimilie of 100 year old advertisement in Boy's Own Paper.]]
[[Image:Im18900628ILN-Pea.jpg ‎|thumb| June 1890. ]]
[[Image:Im18900726ILN-Pea.jpg ‎|thumb| July 1890. ]]
[[Image:Pears.jpg|thumb|right| 1890. ]]
[[Image:Pears.jpg|thumb|right| 1890. ]]
[[Image:Im18920827St-Pears.jpg|thumb| 1892. ]]
[[Image:Im18920827St-Pears.jpg|thumb| 1892. ]]
[[image:im1893CEx-Pears.jpg |thumb| 1893.]]
‎‎[[Image:Im18930603ILN-PS.jpg ‎|thumb| June 1893. ]]
[[image:Im18940502Sk-Pears.jpg|thumb| May 1894. ]]
[[image:Im18940502Sk-Pears.jpg|thumb| May 1894. ]]
[[image:Im18940704Sk-Pears.jpg|thumb| July 1894. ]]
[[image:Im18940704Sk-Pears.jpg|thumb| July 1894. ]]
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[[Image:Im18980806ILN-Peras.jpg|thumb| August 1898. ]]
[[Image:Im18980806ILN-Peras.jpg|thumb| August 1898. ]]
[[Image:Im19020913S-Pears.jpg|thumb| September 1902.]]
[[Image:Im19020913S-Pears.jpg|thumb| September 1902.]]
[[image:Im1905PEARS-Cover.jpg|thumb| 1905. ]]
[[image:Im1905PEARS-Mothers.jpg|thumb| 1905. ]]
[[image:Im1905PEARS-Shilling.jpg|thumb| 1905. ]]
[[image:Im1905PEARS-SoapA.jpg|thumb| 1905. From an article by Dr. Andrew Wilson. ]]
[[Image:Im190707POTD-Pear.jpg|thumb| 1907. ]]
[[Image:Im191106ILN-Pears.jpg|thumb| June 1911.]]
[[Image:Im191106ILN-Pears.jpg|thumb| June 1911.]]
[[Image:Im19121005W-Pear.jpg ‎|thumb| October 1912. ]]
[[Image:Im19130104W-Pear.jpg ‎|thumb| January 1913. ]]
[[Image:Im19130208W-Pear.jpg ‎|thumb| February 1913. ]]
[[image:Im19130315W-Pea.jpg|thumb|March 1913.]]
[[Image:Im19150724Gr-Pears.jpg|thumb| 1915. ]]
[[Image:Im19150724Gr-Pears.jpg|thumb| 1915. ]]
 
[[image:Im20140326-Pears.jpg|thumb| 1918. Courtesy of [http://wovenstuff.weebly.com wovenstuff.com].]]
[[image:Im20140326-Pearsa.jpg|thumb| 1920. Courtesy of [http://wovenstuff.weebly.com wovenstuff.com].]]
[[image:Im192103HG-Pears.jpg|thumb| March 1921. ]]
[[image:Im192103HG-Pears.jpg|thumb| March 1921. ]]
[[Image:Im19381105PP-Pears.jpg|thumb| November 1938.]]
[[Image:Im19381105PP-Pears.jpg|thumb| November 1938.]]
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[[Image:Im193504GHK-Pears.jpg|thumb| April 1935.]]
[[Image:Im193504GHK-Pears.jpg|thumb| April 1935.]]
[[Image:Im19450728Pic-Pears.jpg|thumb| July 1945.]]
[[Image:Im19450728Pic-Pears.jpg|thumb| July 1945.]]
[[image:ImILN02011947 011.jpg |thumb| February 1947. ]]
[[Image:Im19501225Sk-Embassy.jpg|thumb| December 1950. Embassy soap. ]]
[[Image:Im19501225Sk-Embassy.jpg|thumb| December 1950. Embassy soap. ]]
[[image:im20160222RB-Pears.jpg |thumb| Wooden Painting from USA. Signed G. R. Allan.]]
[[Image:Gloria-1951.jpg|thumb| 1951. ]]
[[image:Im19530425PP-Pears.jpg|thumb| April 1953.]]
‎‎[[Image:Im19531212PP-Pea.jpg‎|thumb| December 1953. ]]
[[image:Im19540227PP-Pear.jpg|thumb| February 1954.]]
[[image:Im19540417PP-Pears.jpg|thumb| April 1954.]]
[[image:Im19540619PP-Pears.jpg|thumb| June 1954.]]
[[Image:Im19540724PP-Pear.jpg ‎|thumb| July 1954. ]]
‎‎[[Image:Im19540821PP-Pea.jpg‎|thumb| August 1954. ]]
‎‎[[Image:Im19541002PP-Pears.jpg‎|thumb| October 1954. ]]
[[image:Im19541030PP-Pea.jpg|thumb| October 1954.]]
[[image:Im19550219PP-Pears.jpg|thumb| February 1955.]]
[[image:Im19550528PP-Pears.jpg|thumb| May 1955.]]


[[Image:Gloria-1951.jpg|thumb| 1951. ]]
[[Image:Im200904WCL-Pears1.jpg|thumb| Advertising Sign. ]]


'''Pears''' of 71-5 New Oxford Street, London.
'''Pears''' of 71-5 New Oxford Street, London.


* '''Pears''' transparent soap is an old brand of soap, first produced commercially in 1789 by [[Andrew Pears]] at a factory just off Oxford Street in London, England. It was the world's first transparent soap.
'''Pears''' transparent soap is an old brand of soap, first produced commercially in 1789 by [[Andrew Pears]] at a factory just off Oxford Street in London, England. It was the world's first transparent soap.
 
* c1770 [[Andrew Pears]], the son of a farmer, was born in Mevagissey, in Cornwall.
 
* c1787 He moved to London to train as a barber.


* 1789 He completed his apprenticeship and established a barber's shop in Gerrard Street, in Soho, and began to produce cosmetic products. At that time Soho was a wealthy residential area and Andrew's clientèle included many wealthy socialites who took great pride in their appearance. The fashion amongst the wealthy of the period was for pristine white (alabaster) complexions; tanned faces were associated with those who laboured out of doors. Andrew found that his powders and creams were frequently being used to cover up damage caused by the harshness of the soaps and other beauty products (many of which contained arsenic or lead) that were in general use at the time.  
Pears began to experiment with soap purification eventually managed to produce a gentle soap based on glycerine and other natural products. The clarity the soap gave it a novel transparent appearance which provided a marketing advantage. To add to the appeal, he gave the soap an aroma reminiscent of an English garden.


* '''Pears''' began to experiment with soap purification eventually managed to produce a gentle soap based on glycerine and other natural products. The clarity the soap gave it a novel transparent appearance which provided a marketing advantage. To add to the appeal, Andrew gave the soap an aroma reminiscent of an English garden.
1835 His grandson [[Francis Pears]] joined the business and created the company '''A. and F. Pears Ltd'''. The company operated from premises just off Oxford Street, London.  


* In 1835, his grandson '''Francis Pears''' joined the business and created the company '''A. and F. Pears Ltd'''. The company operated from premises just off Oxford Street, London.  
1838 Andrew Pears retired, leaving Francis in charge of the company.  


* In 1838, '''Andrew Pears''' retired, leaving '''Francis''' in charge of the company.
1841 Listed as 'Pears, Andrew, of 55 Wells Street, Oxford Street, wholesale and retail perfumer' <ref>1841 Post Office London Directory</ref>


* In 1851, the company was awarded the prize medal for soap at The Great Exhibition.
1851 Awarded the prize medal for soap at The Great Exhibition.


* '''Francis'''' son-in-law '''Thomas J. Barratt''', sometimes referred to as the father of modern advertising, eventually took over the firm.
1852 Listed as 'Pears, Andrew and Francis, soap refiners, 91 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury. <ref><1852 Post Office London Directory</ref>


* Under the stewardship of '''Thomas J. Barratt''', the '''A. and F. Pears Ltd''' company initiated a number of innovations in sales and marketing. According to Unilever records, '''Pears Soap''' was the world's first registered brand and is therefore the world's oldest continually existing brand.  
1861 The company consisted of Francis employing one man and one boy. <ref>1861 census</ref>


* In 1862, production of the soap moved to Isleworth, and three years later '''Francis' son, Andrew''', joined '''A. and W. Pears Ltd''' as joint proprietor and ran the factory, whilst '''Thomas''' ran the head office in London.
1862 Production of the soap moved to Isleworth, and three years later Francis' son, [[Andrew Pears, Junior]], joined the company as joint proprietor and ran the factory, whilst Thomas ran the head office in London.


* 1890 Advert of this page for '''Pears'''. <ref>[http://www.historyworld.co.uk/index.php] History World</ref>
Francis' son-in-law [[Thomas James Barratt]], sometimes referred to as the father of modern advertising, eventually took over the firm.


* 1892 The company was registered on 28 May, to take over the business of soap manufacturers of the firm of the same name. <ref>The Stock Exchange Year Book 1908</ref>
Under the stewardship of Barratt, the A. and F. Pears Ltd company initiated a number of innovations in sales and marketing. According to Unilever records, '''Pears Soap''' was the world's first registered brand and is therefore the world's oldest continually existing brand.  


* 1894 The company's most famous trademark was registered. The ''Bubbles'' advertisement was based on an earlier painting of curly-headed boy blowing a soap bubble. The painting was originally called ''A Child's World''.
1881 Employing 106 people <ref>1881 Census</ref>


* Through the work of '''Thomas Barratt''', '''Pears Transparent Soap''' became a major product both in the UK and abroad.  
1892 The company was registered on 28 May, to take over the business of soap manufacturers of the firm of the same name. <ref>The Stock Exchange Year Book 1908</ref>


* In the mid 1910s, '''A. and W. Pears Ltd''' became part of [[Lever Brothers]] and moved production to Port Sunlight in north west England.  
1894 The company's most famous trademark was registered. The ''Bubbles'' advertisement was based on an earlier painting of curly-headed boy blowing a soap bubble. The painting was originally called ''A Child's World''.


* From the late nineteenth century, '''Pears soap''' was famous for its marketing, masterminded by Barratt. Its campaign using Millais's painting ''Bubbles'' continued over many decades. As with many other brands at the time, at the beginning of the 20th century '''Pears''' also used their product as a sign of the prevailing European concept of the "civilizing mission" of empire and trade, in which the soap stands for progress.  
Through the work of Thomas Barratt '''Pears Transparent Soap''' became a major product both in the UK and abroad.  


* Between 1891 and 1925, '''Pears''' issued their now famous Annuals, now highly collectible.  
1914. The company became part of [[Lever Brothers]] and moved production to Port Sunlight in north west England.  


* From the early 20th century '''Pears''' was famous for the annual "Miss Pears" competition in which parents entered their children into the high-profile hunt for a young brand ambassador to be used on packaging and in consumer promotions. Many ''Miss Pears'' subsequently entered acting or modelling.
From the late nineteenth century, '''Pears soap''' was famous for its marketing, masterminded by Barratt. Its campaign using Millais's painting ''Bubbles'' continued over many decades. As with many other brands at the time, at the beginning of the 20th century '''Pears''' also used their product as a sign of the prevailing European concept of the "civilizing mission" of empire and trade, in which the soap stands for progress.  


* The concave shape of the soap is formed by shrinkage while the soap is drying, and is not due to deliberate moulding. Users of the soap use the concave area to dissolve the last slither of the previous bar of soap. '''Pears Soap''' is often used by the elderly for its skincare properties.
Between 1891 and 1925, '''Pears''' issued their now famous Annuals, now highly collectible.  


* 1951 Christmas advert on this page for ''Gloria'' Shampoo Sachets. <ref>[http://www.historyworld.co.uk/index.php] History World</ref>
From the early 20th century '''Pears''' was famous for the annual "Miss Pears" competition in which parents entered their children into the high-profile hunt for a young brand ambassador to be used on packaging and in consumer promotions. Many ''Miss Pears'' subsequently entered acting or modelling.


The concave shape of the soap is formed by shrinkage while the soap is drying, and is not due to deliberate moulding. Users of the soap use the concave area to dissolve the last slither of the previous bar of soap. '''Pears Soap''' is often used by the elderly for its skincare properties.




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* Trademarked. A History of Well-Known Brands - from Aertex to Wright's Coal Tar by David Newton. Pub: Sutton Publishing 2008 ISBN 978-0-7509-4590-5
* Trademarked. A History of Well-Known Brands - from Aertex to Wright's Coal Tar by David Newton. Pub: Sutton Publishing 2008 ISBN 978-0-7509-4590-5


{{DEFAULTSORT: Pears}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT: Pears, A}}
[[Category: Town - London]]
[[Category: Town - London]]
[[Category: Medicine and Toiletries]]
[[Category: Medicine and Toiletries]]

Latest revision as of 15:55, 13 September 2017

1848.
Advertising sign.
July 1887. Advertisement insert in Boy's Own Paper.
July 1887. Advertisement insert in Boy's Own Paper.
July 1887. Facsimilie of 100 year old advertisement in Boy's Own Paper.
June 1890.
July 1890.
1890.
1892.
1893.

‎‎

June 1893.
May 1894.
July 1894.
August 1894.
1895.
March 1896.
August 1898.
September 1902.
1905.
1905.
1905.
1905. From an article by Dr. Andrew Wilson.
1907.
June 1911.
October 1912.
January 1913.
February 1913.
March 1913.
1915.
1918. Courtesy of wovenstuff.com.
1920. Courtesy of wovenstuff.com.
March 1921.
November 1938.
January 1934.
April 1935.
July 1945.
February 1947.
December 1950. Embassy soap.
Wooden Painting from USA. Signed G. R. Allan.
1951.
April 1953.

‎‎

December 1953.
February 1954.
April 1954.
June 1954.
July 1954.

‎‎

August 1954.

‎‎

October 1954.
October 1954.
February 1955.
May 1955.
Advertising Sign.

Pears of 71-5 New Oxford Street, London.

Pears transparent soap is an old brand of soap, first produced commercially in 1789 by Andrew Pears at a factory just off Oxford Street in London, England. It was the world's first transparent soap.

Pears began to experiment with soap purification eventually managed to produce a gentle soap based on glycerine and other natural products. The clarity the soap gave it a novel transparent appearance which provided a marketing advantage. To add to the appeal, he gave the soap an aroma reminiscent of an English garden.

1835 His grandson Francis Pears joined the business and created the company A. and F. Pears Ltd. The company operated from premises just off Oxford Street, London.

1838 Andrew Pears retired, leaving Francis in charge of the company.

1841 Listed as 'Pears, Andrew, of 55 Wells Street, Oxford Street, wholesale and retail perfumer' [1]

1851 Awarded the prize medal for soap at The Great Exhibition.

1852 Listed as 'Pears, Andrew and Francis, soap refiners, 91 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury. [2]

1861 The company consisted of Francis employing one man and one boy. [3]

1862 Production of the soap moved to Isleworth, and three years later Francis' son, Andrew Pears, Junior, joined the company as joint proprietor and ran the factory, whilst Thomas ran the head office in London.

Francis' son-in-law Thomas James Barratt, sometimes referred to as the father of modern advertising, eventually took over the firm.

Under the stewardship of Barratt, the A. and F. Pears Ltd company initiated a number of innovations in sales and marketing. According to Unilever records, Pears Soap was the world's first registered brand and is therefore the world's oldest continually existing brand.

1881 Employing 106 people [4]

1892 The company was registered on 28 May, to take over the business of soap manufacturers of the firm of the same name. [5]

1894 The company's most famous trademark was registered. The Bubbles advertisement was based on an earlier painting of curly-headed boy blowing a soap bubble. The painting was originally called A Child's World.

Through the work of Thomas Barratt Pears Transparent Soap became a major product both in the UK and abroad.

1914. The company became part of Lever Brothers and moved production to Port Sunlight in north west England.

From the late nineteenth century, Pears soap was famous for its marketing, masterminded by Barratt. Its campaign using Millais's painting Bubbles continued over many decades. As with many other brands at the time, at the beginning of the 20th century Pears also used their product as a sign of the prevailing European concept of the "civilizing mission" of empire and trade, in which the soap stands for progress.

Between 1891 and 1925, Pears issued their now famous Annuals, now highly collectible.

From the early 20th century Pears was famous for the annual "Miss Pears" competition in which parents entered their children into the high-profile hunt for a young brand ambassador to be used on packaging and in consumer promotions. Many Miss Pears subsequently entered acting or modelling.

The concave shape of the soap is formed by shrinkage while the soap is drying, and is not due to deliberate moulding. Users of the soap use the concave area to dissolve the last slither of the previous bar of soap. Pears Soap is often used by the elderly for its skincare properties.


See Also

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Sources of Information

  1. ↑ 1841 Post Office London Directory
  2. ↑ <1852 Post Office London Directory
  3. ↑ 1861 census
  4. ↑ 1881 Census
  5. ↑ The Stock Exchange Year Book 1908
  • [1] Wikipedia
  • Trademarked. A History of Well-Known Brands - from Aertex to Wright's Coal Tar by David Newton. Pub: Sutton Publishing 2008 ISBN 978-0-7509-4590-5
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