Henri Nestlé lithographed showcard – £3100 at Mellors & Kirk.
It probably dates from c.1900 – shortly after the death of company founder Henri Nestlé (1814-90) but before the merger of Farine Lactée Henri Nestlé with the Anglo-Swiss Milk Company in 1905.
At the time Nestlé’s primary offering was powdered infant formula and condensed milk – The Richest in Cream – as promoted here in a typical late Victorian doll’s tea party scene. The printer of the 22in x 2ft 6in (54 x 76cm) advertisement was one WH Smith of London.
Offered in what Nottingham saleroom Mellors & Kirk (24% buyer’s premium) described as ‘original dusty ‘attic found’ condition’ on July 22, it flew past its £100- 150 estimate to bring £3100.
