1909 Grocery, Provision, Oil and Italian Warehouse and Allied Trades' Exhibition
Grocery, Provision, Oil and Italian Warehouse and Allied Trades' Exhibition the 17th annual exhibition and market, held at the Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington, London - Saturday 4th - 11th September.
"Till next Saturday the Agricultural Hall, London, is occupied with an appetising exhibition of combustibles and condiments; though boot polishes, soaps etc., occupy an important place also. It is curious that a trade exhibition should be an attraction to the general public, though the present show, the 17th annual Grocery, Provisions, Oil and Italian Warehouse and Allied Trades' Exhibition, explains why this is so. There is something very attractive in a full range of samples of any commodity and when the samples are confectionary, and are arranged in an effective colour scheme, as at Islington now at numbers of stalls, more than mere trade interest is aroused. As a matter of fact this year's Grocers' Exhibition is as artistic and educational a display as has been held at the Agricultural Hall. The Gilbey Hall has been turned into coffee and currant plantations by the joint efforts of the State of San Paulo (Brazil) and the Greek Government. These interesting exhibits show a coffee plantation, with the real shrubs in rows, and the processes prior to shipment, of the "Farenda" coffee - which is served at adjacent tables to show that there is no deception. On the other side of the small hall is the currant plantation. During the week competitions will be held. There is a 50-guinea challenge cup for the best cup of tea, and a similar trophy for coffee. Prizes will be offered to encourage efficiency in canvassing and effecting sales, dressing windows, parcel wrapping, writing advertisements, bacon slicing, etc. The competition for soliciting orders ought to attract a large crowd. Full details are not given. But while candidates are earning points for "general bearing", "address" and "arguments" (the last in an effort to say the best thing in the right manner, and to finish at the right moment) there ought to be time for a laugh."[1]
"Grocers at The Agricultural Hall - Great Display of Food Products of Home and Empire: - This week the Grocers and Allied Trades' Exhibition is being held at the Agricultural Hall. The great building has gathered within it a rich supply of goods for the home. Never ending in variety or usefulness, and everywhere displayed in that attractive artistic style which commands the eye and rivets attention, the assembledge of goods in this exhibition speak of great enterprise. and of notable advance in thoise aims which do and must seriously engage the minds of those bent on ensuring an adequate food supply for our island home.
Jams, pickles, tinned and bottled fruit, potted meats, and a wealth of the other commodities range themselves on every side. To be amazed at one stall at what the enterprise of a particular firm is capable of is but a preparation for even greater wonderment, perhaps, at the display of the stall next door.
The everyday commodity, the luxury and novelty, all are to be found here in great and tempting array. "By taking a tour round the spacious hall" the promoters say in their catalogue preface, "it is not difficult for the visitor to realise that the limits of these particular trades are undefined, for in additio to the numerous articles and commodities of daily requirement which every housewife knows so well, and which are to be found in the stock of the grocers' shop or the Italian warehouse, there are the productions of the 'Allied Trades;' the result being the collection is most comprehensive and varied indeed. All this makes the exhibition quite as interesting to the general public as to those who belong to such important industries". Continue reading [2]
1909 Whitley Gazette Article Sept 24th