|
KARAKTUS Crown Publishing Ltd, St Albans, 1908/9 |
|
|
KARAKTUS Crown Publishing Ltd, St Albans, 1908/9 |
|
| + |
Who was Karaktus? The highly distinctive comic cards illustrated here were published by The Crown Publishing Co., St Albans, and were sold nationally in 1908/9. They are numbered from 1 to 30 (the highest number I have so far identified). There was no later series. The pen name Karaktus associated with a crown may have been introduced at this time as the Iron Age British "King" Caratacus ("Old King Cole" of the nursery rhyme) is associated with St Albans. It is suggested (see home page) was Fred Spurgin, but more evidence is needed to confirm this. |
The book Picture Postcards and their Publishers, by Anthony Byatt records the following:
| THE CROWN PUBLISHING CO. This seems to have been a very short-lived company which operated from 23 Catherine Street, St. Albans from about 1908 to 1910. No further trace can be found in 1911 unless the firm had moved to another town. A large crown was used as a trade mark. The comic card is dominant, with a consistently high numerical sequence, suggesting that this commenced with the number 1000. Later issues are set off rather attractively by means of a dark brown-grained frame about 6 mm. wide. The humour generally attains a good standard. The most distinctive group of cards published are those signed 'Karaktus'. Drawn in a bold style they convey the message in no uncertain way, as can be seen from Karaktus No. 1 (illustrated). On the back of this card the sender wrote, "I hope you will never be like this". At least 26 cards were issued in this series, but does any collector know the identity of Karaktus? |
|
It is better to have loved and lost, than to have loved and married No. 1 (posted 27th April 1909 in Milford??) |
|
"Take a chair!" " No, Mum, I've come to take the Piano!" No. 2 (known posted 1 February 1909) |
|||||||||||||||
|
Expulsion from Eden No. 3 (posted 18 December 1908 in Kidderminster) |
|
Everything in the garden is lovely! No 4 (known posted 8 October 1908 in Derby) |
|||||||||||||||
|
The early bird catches the worm ... No. 5 (known posted 27 September 1909 in Birmingham) |
|
All bachelors should be taxed £50 ... No 6 - (Posted 2 February 1909 in Sidmouth) |
|||||||||||||||
|
When taking a wife, be careful not to takes some-one else's. No. 7 (posted 21 February 1909 in Hastings) |
|
Hi! Mister, If you'r drowning them pups save one for me! No. 8 (posted 31 October, 1908 in Leicester) |
|||||||||||||||
|
Scotland! With all thy faults, I love thy still No. 9 (known posted 9 January 1909 in Kettering) |
|
Oh! Cheese It! No. 10 (posted 26 January 1909) |
|||||||||||||||
|
Money talks! but alas I'm speechless No. 11 |
|
Deers are very good runners - So was Gussie! No. 12 - (Posted 18 March 1909 in Sidmouth) (Card reported posted 1908, date not recorded) |
|||||||||||||||
|
Who objects walking 6 miles for a drink? I'd walk 20 No 13 (Posted 18th July 1909 in Devonport) Posted 25 December 1908 in Harrogate |
The Officer's Mess! No. 14 (known posted August 1909) |
||||||||||||||||
|
What's the use of all these things without a girl inside No 15 (Posted 9 February 1909 in Yatton)
|
Come off at once Jimmy" Do you want to get intoxicated No 16 (Posted 14 February 1909 in Dartmouth) |
||||||||||||||||
|
It isn't love that makes the world go round. It's Beer No 17 (Posted 1909) |
Blow, blow, thou winter wind No 18 - (Posted 1909) |
||||||||||||||||
|
A Stitch in time saves sitting in a draught No 19 - ( Posted August 1909)
|
And to think that's the girl who once fainted in my arms at the sight of a mouse No 20 - (Posted August 1909) Copy seen with "Crown Series" back posted August 1909 |
||||||||||||||||
|
No. 21 No connection with next door |
No. 22 Lovers' Styles |
||||||||||||||||
|
The old Bachelor's Wish Oh, Heavens! That clothes would but make the woman! No 23 (Posted 1 April 1909 in Bradford) |
The Old Maid's Wish Oh Heaven! That I but had the jewel that was in this case! No 24 (known posted March 1909 in Tring) (A version of this card, with slightly different colouring, different lettering, and no publisher information, number, etc., on the back, is known posted in Birmingham in September 1909) |
||||||||||||||||
|
Yes! Father puts in a lot of overtime No 25 (Known posted September 1909 in Gaywood) |
Two pennyworth of dog biscuits, Please No 26 (Known posted February 1909 in Swindon) |
||||||||||||||||
|
Milkman - It looks very much like rain today No 27 (posted 11 June 1909 in West Bromwich) |
I don't care if there's a girl there No 28 (Posted 2 June 1909 in Staffordshire) Harry Fay recorded the song "I don't care if there's a girl there" in 1909 |
||||||||||||||||
|
I want you to see my girl No 29 (Posted 23 April 1909 in Powmill, Fife) Frank Williams recorded the song "I want you to see my girl" in 1909 |
The Blind Man - This must be an Earthquake No 30 (Posted 24 May 1918?)
|
||||||||||||||||
| The "ODD " Karaktus cards | |||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
