The history of the building and the popularity of the Co-operative society means we have collected a lot of Co-op items.  We have recently accessioned a selection of paper ephemera items into the collection. 

This is one of the oldest dated 1913.  It is a brochure for one of the Newcastle Co-operative stores and shows examples of some of the clothing such as corsets and coats you could buy in this period.  It even includes a sample of cloth which the Co-op manufactured.

1913 Brochure TWCMS: 2011.1423

1913 Brochure TWCMS: 2011.1423

 This booklet from a 1924 exhibition contains pages and pages of adverts for cooperative products, items range from medicines to beauty products, clothing to homeware.

1924 Exhibition Brochure TWCMS: 2011.1410

Exhibition Advertisement TWCMS: 2011.1410

Co-operative products were very popular and items such as shoe polish, soap, clothing, and food would have been found in many North East households.  The factory in Pelaw was the manufacturer of the famous Pelaw Polish.  We have some of these items on display in our galleries.  See if you can spot them on your next visit to Discovery Museum.