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Print

1950-1959 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The jigsaw contained by this envelope showing a 1950s dining room may have been a promotional gift sent to clients by furniture manufacturers H. Morris & Co. of Glasgow. The company manufactured wood furniture and supplied them to a range of different clients besides the domestic market, including ocean liners, hotels, cinemas and apartment complexes. They exhibited at the Festival of Britain in 1951.

The company furnished a number of large hotels during their 1920s, 30s and 50s refurbishments, including Gleneagles Hotel and the Mayfair, Grosvenor House and Strand Palace Hotels in London. As well as standard furniture the company also developed the Wurlitzer jukebox, and provided specialist furnishings for cinemas and first class interior panelling and furniture for a number of liners for Canadian Pacific Steamship and Cunard White Star ocean liner companies, famous names being the Queen Mary (1934), Queen Elizabeth (1938) and QE2 (1967).

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Paper, card and ink
Brief description
Print, envelope for promotional jigsaw puzzle, issued by furniture manufacturers H. Morris & Co, Glasgow, 1950s.
Physical description
Envelope with card insert for storing a jigsaw puzzle (E.550:2-2005). Cream with beige and brown printing. In the centre printed in beige is a rectangle showing white outlines of jigsaw pieces. In the top left corner printed in brown is an outline drawing of the image that is on the jigsaw itself but smaller dimensions, approximately 11.4 by 14.5cm. In brown outline lettering is 'JIG / SAW' and below this in brown 'PUZZLE'. Below the image in brown is the text in italics and capitals 'With the Compliments of / MORRIS OF GLASGOW'. In white on a brown background across the bottom are the words 'H. MORRIS & COMPANY LIMITED. GLASGOW'.
Dimensions
  • Height: 18.4cm
  • Width: 24.2cm
Production typeLimited edition
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'JIG / . / SAW / PUZZLE' (In space to right of picture)
  • 'With the Compliments of / MORRIS OF GLASGOW' (Below picture aligned left / Across envelope width, aligned centre)
  • 'H. MORRIS & COMPANY LIMITED. GLASGOW' (Bottom, across envelope width, aligned centre)
Credit line
Given by Stella Lancashire
Object history
Sent to clients as Christmas? promotional gift.
Historical context
See Morris, Neil. Shavings for breakfast. 1987 for a history of the firm. Page [167] shows a similar dining room.
Subjects depicted
Summary
The jigsaw contained by this envelope showing a 1950s dining room may have been a promotional gift sent to clients by furniture manufacturers H. Morris & Co. of Glasgow. The company manufactured wood furniture and supplied them to a range of different clients besides the domestic market, including ocean liners, hotels, cinemas and apartment complexes. They exhibited at the Festival of Britain in 1951.

The company furnished a number of large hotels during their 1920s, 30s and 50s refurbishments, including Gleneagles Hotel and the Mayfair, Grosvenor House and Strand Palace Hotels in London. As well as standard furniture the company also developed the Wurlitzer jukebox, and provided specialist furnishings for cinemas and first class interior panelling and furniture for a number of liners for Canadian Pacific Steamship and Cunard White Star ocean liner companies, famous names being the Queen Mary (1934), Queen Elizabeth (1938) and QE2 (1967).
Collection
Accession number
E.550:1-2005

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Record createdJanuary 24, 2007
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