Here we have a fantastic example of late Victorian advertising. As per the advertisement, C. H. Flooks were a Jewellers and Watchmaker's in the Welsh town of Merthyr Tydfil that were founded in 1885. Their building and it's original shop front and signage remain in the town, though it's now a cafe! This poster with it's vibrant colours and wonderfully detailed pictorial accompanied with the fantastically 'of the period' wording; "C. H. Flooks ... Respectfully solicits a continuance of your patronage and very kind recommendation" - how fantastic!! 

 

This poster came from a small collection of unpasted examples found in the basement of a print works; a wonderful and incredibly rare survivor. It's storage away from daylight has meant that the colours have remained strong and unfaded, but has resulted in a small amount of tearing along the upper fold line - only noticeable through the '49', there is also an angled cut to the lower left corner of the poster. It has been professionally framed and backed with a conservation grade paper colour matched to the paper of the poster meaning the small tear and the cut don't draw the eye. 

 

Including the frame, the poster measures 105cm high x 80cm wide x 2cm deep