1904-05 Memorabilia | West Ham 1900s

1904-05 Collectables

THE DAILY GRAPHIC
Football Album

The Graphic was a weekly illustrated newspaper, first published on December 4th, 1869 by William Luson Thomas's company, Illustrated Newspapers Ltd. The Graphic was set up as a rival to the popular Illustrated London News. The Daily Graphic was published in 1890 until 1926.

The Football Album cover states that this is the 'Fourth Year of Publication' and inside the booklet depicts 50 team groups. For the previous three seasons the collecion was issued by The Golden Penny. The Daily Graphic continued to issue these albums until the final one came out in 1910-11.

Image courtesy of Alan Jenkins

OXO
Postcard

The Clubs income was strengthened by an unlikely source, OXO, a household name known for its flavoursome stock cubes, has been a staple in British kitchens for over a century. The OXO brand ventured into the realm of football postcards, these little pieces, are more than mere paper; they are snapshots into the history of both the club and the brand, symbolising a time when such promotional items were commonly used to connect with fans and the community.

From sponsoring the London Olympic Games in 1908, to providing sustenance and warmth in numerous homes, and famously, to soldiers during World War I, to their long-running television advertising campaign titled "Life with Katie" in 1958, and featuring the "OXO Family," with actress Lynda Bellingham which aired from 1983 until 1999. The beef cube company has always been a dynamic and innovative presence in the market.

The “OXO for Strength" series of postcards were part of a promotional campaign, leveraging the popularity of football to market their beef extract product. West Ham United manager Syd King gives his endorsement, “When training, OXO is the only beverage used by our team and all speak of the supreme strength and power of endurance which they have derived from its use” However, it would be another 50 years before there was any restrictions on advertising and a requirement to substantiate such claims.