Bedford
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Where to buy at Bedford: an illustrated local review
1891
(Extracts)
Bedford Premier Shops
Messrs. R. Hill and Co., Art Studio and Mercury Press,
38 and 40, High Street.
This old-established business, with a history of over half-a-century behind it, seems, like the proverbial wine, to have improved with age. The premises - a bold double front with large plate-glass windows - stand close to where the "pillory" of two centuries ago stood, in the very centre of the principal street of this ancient borough. It also adjoins the unique remains of the old hostelry of Elizabethan times, the prettily-gabled "Old George." now occupied - "all that is left of it," or nearly so - by Messrs, Sell and Willshaw. A "restoration" of the quadrangle of the old inn forms a frontispiece to an interesting brochure on Bedford’s antiquities published and printed by Messrs. Hill and Co. They have also published a hand- some folio volume of Mr. Airy's Englished version of the Domesday Book; for the beautiful typography of which they were highly praised in the Athenaeum and other literary journals. Printing of all kinds, on modern machines, is executed in the commodious office at the rear ; but in the High Street, the principal attraction to the passer-by is the well. arranged collection of art studies and objects for painting upon, which fill the large windows, Every branch of art is catered for, and classes conducted by an accomplished London artist are held regularly on the first floor. China painting specialties, terra cotta, oils and water colours, canvases, lincrusta, white wood, glass, screens, brushes, mediums, blocks-in fact, every thing any artist can require-is to be had within. A large variety of local photographs also make an attractive display, and are much sought after by visitors to the town. The new "Glacier," or imitation stained glass, is stocked in great variety and the firm have acquired a reputation for arranging designs with taste, and affixing them to any window with great care. In stationery, both plain and fancy, ball programmes, mourning cards, and the like, Messrs. Hill are strong. The town being greatly indebted to Sir William Harpur for his endowments for the schools, the firm we are noticing are up to the times in offering a very admirable note-paper called the "Harpur Note," at exceedingly moderate prices. Tinted papers and What- man cards also make a pretty display while leather goods, photograph frames, albums, note books, artists' pencils and plain stationery form a good background to the establishment, and offer a wide hunting ground for those looking out for presents for others, or pretty possessions for themselves.
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