Weekend Event Birds...Bird's English Custard

[almond-cakes.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure what year this ad is from; I'd say maybe could be the first 1929 ad or one from very early 1930s. Here's a bit of info on the Bird's Custard Co:

Bird’s Custard was invented by the Chemist Alfred Bird in 1837, essentially because his custard-loving wife was allergic to eggs – the main ingredient used in traditional recipe. It is said that after Alfred accidentally fed dinner guests his non-egg custard to great approval he realised it could be marketed and formed the company Alfred Bird and Sons to do just that.

Not content to transform the world of custard Alfred Bird went on to invent baking powder in 1843 although it was originally known as Bird’s Fermenting Powder. He must have been devoted to his wife because it was because she was also allergic to yeast that he had been experimenting with other ways of raising bread. By 1895 his Birmingham based company was producing blancmange powder, jelly powder and egg substitutes. In WW1 Bird’s Custard, now ubiquitous, was supplied to the British armed forces – the company earlier had famously supplied baking powder to British troops in the Crimean war.

It was Alfred’s son, Alfred junior, who really brought modern practices to the company and a motto hanging in the Birmingham Factory summed up the Bird’s company philosophy:

Early to bed, early to rise

Stick to your work —. And advertise!

Bird’s went on to become famous for its advertising and introduced the famous ‘three bird’ logo in 1929.

During World War II and the extensive food rationing Birds and Sons had to seriously ramp down production when many of their sugar-based products were stopped. The advertising, however, continued which helped to keep the company in the public’s eye. Shortly after the war, Bird’s was purchased by the General Foods Corporation, which was itself taken over by Philip Morris and merged into Kraft Foods. In late 2004, Kraft sold Bird’s Custard ato Premier Foods, who are now the current owners. Although Bird’s Custard still exists and is still very popular, the name itself is now just a brand.



^ This ad from the 1930s is quite like the first ad. These birds remind me of those little water whistle birds we had as children.



^ I like the art style of this one and the one below very much! ^




^ This is a very bold and colorful Bird's Custard advertisement issued by Alfred Bird, Birmingham, from the November 1933 edition of "Good Housekeeping" magazine.



^ Love the flying birds. (1932??)! ^



^ Another ad from the 30s, with bananas! ^



^ A nice ad by French graphic artist Jean Carlu. ^




^ A different-looking ad from 1940. ^



^ From 1956- a peach guitar! ^




^ Ad above from 1956. I don't like these birds as much as the older style. ^



^ This one very similar to the 1956 ad, but they have rhubarb in the custard! ^



^ I think this one is very pretty! ^



^I actually eat Bird's Custard now. I grew up eating Jello Custard, but a few years ago, Jello discontinued its custard. My local grocery carried Bird's, and I decided to try it. It makes delicious custard! I like mine with a sprinkle of nutmeg. ^

Comments

[bradygirl_12]

These are all great! Interesting history, too. I'm like Bird's wife so I appreciate his efforts! :)

[pronker]

Wonderful and varied designs - love the colors here. And Bird was a right guy, doing all those things with his wife for inspiration, or maybe prodding by her? :D