Happy new year to everyone

The first Bulletin of the year, on the first day of the year, is Bulletin XVIII, a collection of trade cards and tickets, illustrating the commercial and cultural life of mid-nineteenth century Glasgow.

Almost from the cradle to the grave, we find amongst others, trade cards for tailors, sail makers, shoe makers, boiler makers, taverns, cabinet makers, confectioners, lithographers, painters, paper hangers and undertakers.

Cultural pursuits include musical concerts, art exhibitions, soirees, educational classes, philosophy and art classes.

Glasgow was effectively the Second City of the Empire, with several industries at varying times employing large numbers of people, including the linen industry, locomotive manufacturing and of course shipbuilding (See Meighan, Glasgow – A History)