Advertisement in Glasgow University Magazine 27 October 1926 for the latest Paris fashions available at John Anderson's Royal Polytechnic department store.
Anderson's "Poly", Glasgow's first department store, opened in Clyde Terrace in 1837. It moved to the former Polytechnic Hall in Jamaica Street in 1856, and became known as the Royal Polytechnic Warehouse. The department store sold a wide variety of goods, from drapery, small wares, fancy goods and haberdashery. It was said to have been busy at all hours of the day. The store moved again, to premises on Argyle Street, and in 1929 the business was acquired by the John Lewis department store chain.
The Poly regularly placed large eye-catching advertisements in GUM during the 1920s. They were often aimed at the women shoppers, with the emphasis on dresses, evening gowns, and hair treatments. This particular image depicts three fashionable evening gowns, but also refers to badminton equipment for the sports-minded, a restaurant and hairdressing services.
Reference: Glasgow University Archive Services, DC198/34
Glasgow University Archive Services
Keywords:
advertisements, Anderson's Poly, department stores, drapers, dresses, evening gowns, fashions, flappers, Glasgow University Magazine, GUM, John Lewis, outfitters, Polytechnic Hall, Royal Polytechnic Warehouse, shopping, shops, University of Glasgow, women