Original photo courtesy of Nicola Everden
by Ugo Pericoli
by Ugo Pericoli
George Rainbird
Kate Greenaway
Kate Greenaway
Here's a British product to celebrate 200 years of American Independence:
Paddington Bear
Paddington Bear
Kate Greenaway
Kate Greenaway
Holly Hobbie
Holly Hobbie
With & without the backing tissue paper:
Holly Hobbie
Holly Hobbie
Holly Hobbie
Someone had a go at this Holly Hobbie transfer, but then wisely changed their mind. There's also a typo on it; the Design Reference is given as "27.01.38", when it should be "27.01.138". Easily done!
Holly Hobbie
Thelwell
Sarah Kay
Sarah Kay
Sarah Kay
Sarah Kay
Thelwell
The first Decor-Craft were litho printed by BKT in Tunbridge Wells on heavy matte plastic rather than the glossy brittle plastic used for gravure printing.
Before the Sodecor purchase in 1976, BKT's heavier litho plastic was only used for Decor-Craft, British Birds & the Walls Star Wars Free Gift transfers. Other products may also have used it, but either they're not relevant to our interests or we simply haven't come across them yet!
The latest appearance found so far of the glossy brittle plastic used for gravure printing is from 1984, showing that printing at Ashford continued until well after the demise of Letraset Consumer Products. However, the gravure press was sold off around that time — so that was the end of that.
Sorry, boys of 1981, but however much you like Paddington, he's part of the Girl's Assortment — so hands off.
Picture Credit: The SPLAT Scan Archives (with thanks to Joe) — Nicola Everden
© Tom Vinelott 2023