“The Power of Persuasion” exhibition at Abbey House Museum in Leeds showcases the evolution of confectionery, featuring historic candies like Pontefract liquorice, vintage sweet jars, chocolates, toffee tins, and the advertising tactics of iconic brands. It celebrates the city’s commercial heritage and the nostalgia associated with these enduring sweet treats.
What does “The Power of Persuasion” exhibition at Abbey House Museum showcase?
“The Power of Persuasion” exhibition at Abbey House Museum in Leeds showcases the evolution of confectionery, featuring historic candies like Pontefract liquorice, vintage sweet jars, chocolates, toffee tins, and the advertising tactics of iconic brands. It celebrates the city’s commercial heritage and the nostalgia associated with these enduring sweet treats.
A Sweet Glimpse into History
In the heart of Leeds, a charming exhibition unfolds at Abbey House Museum. This unique showcase, fittingly titled “The Power of Persuasion,” offers a delightful journey through the evolution of confectionery. Within its walls, visitors can marvel at the variety of classic sweet treats that have delighted Yorkshire locals and visitors for over a century. From vintage sweet jars to chocolates and toffee tins, the exhibition is a testament to the indelible mark left by historic brands.
Curators and dedicated volunteers have reconstructed a vintage sweet shop, complete with shelves laden with historic candies once cherished by both young and old. The display is a vibrant tableau of the past, capturing the essence of bygone eras. It includes the legendary Pontefract liquorice, produced in the 1930s by Hillaby’s, a company that once stood as the world’s largest liquorice producer under the pioneering John Hillaby.
Among the treasures, visitors can find a range of toffee tins from Henry Thorne & Co. Ltd, a prominent name in Leeds’ confectionery history. The company, which operated a large factory on Edward Street, was known for its impressive production scale, creating over two million sweet treats each day during its 1960s heyday.
Nostalgic Narratives and Advertising Antiques
The Power of Persuasion is more than an exhibition of sweets; it’s a narrative of nostalgia and branding brilliance. Kitty Ross, Leeds Museums and Galleries’ curator of social history, captures the essence of the exhibit: “Sweets and confectionery are among the most enduring and recognisable brands in the world, tapping into a unique sense of nostalgia and the happy memories we have of them as children.”
The display skillfully weaves the story of these beloved brands, illustrating the ingenious advertising tactics that have appealed to consumers for generations. It includes historic packaging and advertisements for Cadbury’s Ltd, a tin of Fox’s Glacier Mints from 1950, and a set of shop scales from Dawes and Sons, a 1900s-era sweet shop on Hunslet Road in Leeds.
Further enriching the collection are objects that showcase advertising history beyond sweets. A giant pair of spectacles, once a sign for the famous Dyons jewellers in Leeds, and a golden Tetley’s brewery sign are featured. These artifacts, once commonplace on the streets of Leeds, provide a glimpse into the city’s rich commercial heritage.
Leeds: Incubator of Iconic Brands
Leeds is no stranger to the creation and cultivation of iconic brands that have gained national and international recognition. Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, culture and education, reflects on this legacy: “Leeds has been the birthplace of some truly iconic brands which have helped put the city on the map nationally and around the world.”
The exhibition does not only celebrate the confectionery sector but also honors tried and trusted brands that have emerged from Yorkshire and beyond. Visitors will encounter vintage signs and symbols that once adorned Leeds, from a Victorian gold beater’s shop sign to an eye-catching brewery emblem. These artifacts represent the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit that have been synonymous with the city.
“The Power of Persuasion” opened its doors on January 20, 2024, at Abbey House Museum, inviting the public to explore the multifaceted history of advertising and brand evolution. For those interested in delving deeper into this sugary saga, more details are available at The Power of Persuasion – Leeds Museums & Galleries.
The exhibit stands as a tribute to the memories crafted by these brands and the joy they have brought to people over the decades. It serves as a vivid reminder of the power that advertising holds in shaping our cultural landscape and preserving our collective heritage.
- “The Power of Persuasion” exhibition at Abbey House Museum showcases the evolution of confectionery, including historic candies, vintage sweet jars, chocolates, toffee tins, and the advertising tactics of iconic brands.
- The exhibition celebrates Leeds’ commercial heritage and the nostalgia associated with enduring sweet treats.
- The exhibit features a reconstructed vintage sweet shop with shelves filled with historic candies and treasures like Pontefract liquorice and Henry Thorne & Co. Ltd toffee tins.
- The display highlights the narrative of nostalgia and branding brilliance, showcasing packaging and advertisements from Cadbury’s Ltd and other iconic brands.
- Leeds has been the birthplace of iconic brands and the exhibition honors these brands and their impact on the city’s commercial heritage.