A Canadian Family

Vintage Postcard: Shippegan, New Brunswick, Canada

This early twentieth century postcard depicts the Cafe Royal in Shippegan (County Gloucester, New Brunswick). There is no publisher indicated on the background – just the words “Made in England” and “Post Card / Carte Postale”. Perhaps this card was privately published as an advertisement for the Cafe Royal?

Two out of three signs on the side of the building are for cigarettes.

The first – Black Cat – is apparently still a world wide brand though I’m unfamiliar with it in Canada. The Black Cat was the trademark of Carreras Tobacco a nineteenth century British company. In 1905 the Black Cat were one of the first machine-made cigarettes offered in Britain. Black Cat cigarettes disappeared during world war II, but the brand was revived about 1957.

The second sign includes the slogan “Rolled with ALLWEATHER waterproof paper”. Taken together with the brand name (Sportsman) you can make an educated guess about who the target audience is for these cigarettes! There’s quite a market now for Sportsman memorabilia (e.g.cigarette tins) but nowadays the cigarettes seem to be marketed in Kenya.

The third sign ( DRINK COCA-COLAS ICE COLD) is one I remember seeing when I was growing up in the fifties/sixties and our family would stop for gas. To this day I feel nothing that beats a Coca-cola in a glass bottle on a steamy summer afternoon!

The final detail I’d like to share with you is that of a vintage car parked in the street out front. I haven’t dated it yet (I’m no car expert). The license plate should be a clue and I’ve found a good online reference on New Brunswick licence plates but I still haven’t nailed down the year.

Can anyone help me date this car? If you have an idea please drop me a line in the comment box below.

EDIT: Becky Jamieson’s husband Larry  is an aficionado of vintage cars and he’s identified the car in the photo as a 1948 PLYMOUTH 2 door sedan. Thank you to both!  http://beckysgraceandglory.blogspot.com/

 Comments from reader Frank Elder – Thanks!

As you can see the Plymouth has 3 windows on the side, that makes it a 1946 to early 49 4 door sedan.
The 2 door sedan had only 2 windows on the side, with the quarter window being quite large. Google P15 sedan and you will see.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GRANDMA!

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Related Posts:

Cafe Royale, Shippegan – “the best fish meal … cod in cornmeal”

Index: Vintage Postcards of New Brunswick

Further Reading:

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (Tobacco Ad Gallery)

www.tobaccofreekids.org

Carreras Tobacco Company

http://en.wikipedia.org

New Brunswick License Plate History

http://www.canplates.com

The Website for collectors of old enamel signs and advertising

http://www.advertisingantiques.co.uk

Related Posts:

Cafe Royale, Shippegan – “the best fish meal … cod in cornmeal”

Index: Vintage Postcards of New Brunswick

January 18, 2009 Posted by Evelyn Yvonne Theriault | . | New Brunswick, postcards, Shippagan, Shippegan, vintage car | 8 Comments