Vintage Stratton Brand Sunglasses 1950s Catalogue Full Colour

[Danielle Boyd]

STRATTON SUNGLASSES CATALOGUE BACK & FRONT COVER
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This trade catalogue dates to c.1958 because the company used the name Laughton & Sons Ltd. on the back cover.

Meanwhile the listing shown below in the April 26 1958 edition of The Chemist And Druggist describes the makers as JARRETT RAINSFORD & LAUGHTON LTD., WARSTOCK ROAD, BIRMINGHAM 14.

The parent company name changed from Jarrett, Rainsford & Laughton Ltd. to Laughton & Sons Ltd. in 1958.

The prices are, of course, pre-decimal.

This television campaign was primarily designed to appeal to British people who were well off enough to travel abroad but as the sun shines in the United Kingdom, those who took staycations were also targeted by the firm’s television campaigns. The catalogue shows Buckingham Palace & two of The Queen’s Life Guards on horseback.

STRATTON BRAND JEWELLED SUNGLASSES

A WIDE VARIETY OF STYLES

FRONT COVER OF THE DRUGGIST AND CHEMIST APRIL 26 1958​

Although the front cover of this edition of The Druggist And Chemist is advertising Bartex sunglasses, we have found a wonderful advertisement for Stratton brand sunglasses inside this publication.

Here is the description of the advertisement which is copied and pasted from this publication with no editing of the text.

April 26. 1958
THE CHEMIST AND DRUGGIST
SALES AIDS
Twinco not only offer you
quick - selling sunglasses — they
back you with strong sales help
as well. Illustrated on left is the LADDER STAND NO. I
Comprising: — Doz. Retail
1 1 doz. 940/S Kiddy Butterfly 16/- 2/-
I „ 632 Pearl Butterfly 20/- 2/6
I „ 885/7 Domino 20/- 2/6
I „ 635/S Broadway 28/- 3/6
| „ 642/1 Venice (Stone set) 36/- 4/6
I „ 793 Burford 40/- 5/-
Colours:— 940/S, 635/S, 642/1, White/Red,
White/Blue, White/Black.
632, 885/7, Pearl Ruby, Pearl Blue, Pearl
Cream. 793, Gold coloured top.
Total Cost of Set £6
Reselling £9
Profit £3
LADDER STAND NO. 2
Comprising: — Doz. Retail
I doz. 736 Goodwood 60/- 7/6
I „ 746 Newbury 60/- 7/6
Smoked or Blue Rhodoglass lenses.
Total Cost of Set £6
Reselling £9
Profit £3
ORDER FROM
YOUR
WHOLESALER
Manufacturers:
JARRETT RAINSFORD & LAUGHTON LTD., WARSTOCK ROAD, BIRMINGHAM 14 (MAYPOLE 2252)
LONDON: 100 Dean Street W.I (GERrard 3473 ) MANCHESTER: I IA High Street (BLAckfriars 8401): GLASGOW: 60 St. Enoch's Sq.

KIDDY BUTTERFLY SUNGLASSES
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The listing refers to a model named the Kiddy Butterfly which is smaller than the others. So we can say for certain that this line was made especially for children.

In the UK the word kid is often used colloquially when talking or writing about children.

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The advert refers to Ladder Stand 1 & Ladder Stand 2.

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We have searched this edition of The Druggist And Chemist to find another advertisement showing the other stand to no avail. There must have been an error when compiling this advertisement, as the first stand completely takes up the page and so there would not have been room to display another stand complete with sunglasses.

As you can see from the full colour illustrations we have included the stand in this advert and it shows only a small selection of Stratton brand sunglasses.

THE CHEMIST & DRUGGIST STRATTON TRADE ADVERTISEMENT​

In 1956 - 1957 Jarrett, Rainsford & Laughton gained permission to erect a three storey building facing Warstock Road. This factory manufactured powder compacts and men’s jewellery and accessories, such as cufflinks, tie clips and match book holders.

NEW WARSTOCK WORKS
Photo - Patricia Laughton
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On the left we can see the general offices.

On the left at the front we can see the general offices. Behind this is the Twinco Injection Moulding Division which is where the sunglasses were made. On the right the Packing Warehouse, Men’s Jewellery, Powder Compact and Metal Goods sections. Far right is the Machine Building and Stock Warehouse.

This photograph was taken by Patricia Laughton, daughter of G. S. Laughton


Francis Joseph Curry was the Production Manager and Director of the West Heath factory. As well as inventing improvements to powder compacts, tie racks, hair accessories and household goods, like telephone address & number index pads. F.J.Curry also invented many improvements to existing machines.

In 1958 the decision was made to combine the facilities at the West Heath factory with the Warstock Works by erecting a 12,000 square feet premises on the Warstock Works site.

1947 ADVERTISEMENT​

The Twinco & Lady Jayne brands included hair accessories, sunglasses, combs, hair brushes, shower caps and desk accessories.

WARSTOCK WORKS MEN’S JEWELLERY SECTION​

The image above shows the Pearl Working Section. This section had moved from the Alexandra Works which were bombed by the Luftewaffe to a building on Lower Essex Street to the Warstock Works in 1959.

Whether this section also worked on mother of pearl items we are not sure.



View our wonderful Stratton brand collection.



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Sources:

The Chemist And Druggist.

A Century Of Achievement