Publishers

"Joseph Asher & Co"

 

  

Joseph Asher started selling postcards in about 1906, from an address in Cheapside, London. He later moved to Paternoster Row and then Ivy Lane from which most of his cards - with a distinctive "J A" logo were published - many by Donald McGill. Some of the earliest comic cards were in the "Selwell Series" labelled "J W A & Co," including a number by Will Adams. The company ceased to operate when Joseph Asher (who was German) was interred at the outbreak of the First World War.

So far 4 "F S" cards have been located, numbered 1551, 1552, 1553 and 1554, all with Early Saxony backs. They come from at least three different sets. This raises the possibility of a trial set of six individually selected cards was prepared for Asher made up of cards form sets currently being printed.

Some years later Asher was selling cards signed Fred Spurgin in the Coon Series. However Asher clearly used a wide range of artists, and especially Donald McGill and there is mo reason to think Spurgin was every heavily involveed in producing cards for the company.

[Drink]

The Charge of the Thirsty First

Signed "F S"

JWA & Co, London (Early Saxony)

No (1?)(5?)51

1 March 1907 [1 January 1907]

 

[Where there is a Woman Series]

Standing up for women's rights

Signed "F S"

JWA Series 1552

1907

Hosiery Exhibition now on

Please Inspect

Signed "F S"

JWA & Co, London

Early Saxony

No 1553

 

  

A Waste of raw material

Signed F S

JWA & Co, London

Early Saxony

No 1553

  

There's a curl wanted there

Signed F S

JWA & Co,

No 15(5?4?)

Early Saxony

 

See Unnamed sets

Later Cards signed by Fred Spurgin

Is I so black as I is painted

Signed Frederick Spurgin

Coon Series No 404

Keep dark, an' say nuffin'

Signed Frederick Spurgin

Kismet Series - Coon Series No 406

June 1913

Early Comic Cards by other Artists

Father is a Handy Man He cooks the Dinner

No Signature

"Selwell" Series No 41

JWA Logo back

30 April 1908

 

Mother's Trials Jane has a follower

No Signature

Selwell Series No 58

JWA Logo back

8 July 1907

These two cards are discussed in False Trails.

 "Would you like to spoon with me"

J W A & Co "Songs Illustrated" by Will Adams

 JWA Logo back

 

"Oh! the Business - Things are beginning to hum"

J W A & Co "Songs Illustrated" by Will Adams

 JWA Logo back

Posted 1908

  

If you do George I will Scream

Selwell Series No 8

JWA Logo back by Will Adams

  

Girls I didn't  Marry The Athletic Girl

Selwell Series No 73 by E.W.

 Inland Postage Back

Posted July 1908
   

 

Mary had a little Lamb and with it had a tussle ....

Kismet Series No 718 by E Chandler

 

Teaching his Sister - Perhaps

Selwell Series No 77 by A E

 Inland Postage Back
 

"Oh Lord, if ever you wants to show how you loves little boys what tries hard to be good - Now's your time!!

by Donald McGill   24 December 1912

  

You can do a lot of things at the seaside you can't do in town

Kismet Series No 784 by E Chandler
 

Love Me - An' I Don't care whose the old world is!

Kismet Series 208

J Asher

30 Jan 1913

  

Another Absent-minded Beggar

Selwell Series No 7 by Will Adams

 JWA Logo back

August 1910
Later Asher Series Cards  by Donald McGill - (see "It's very Breezy")

It's very windy here

Signed Donald McGill

[Asher Series  A 124]

 [1912]

We are having a fine blow

signed Donald McGill

J A & Co

Published by Joseph Asher & Co. 3 & 4 Ivy Lane, London E C.

A 159

Kismet Series

Printed in Bavaria

It's very windy but I'm enjoying myself all right

Signed Donald McGill

[Asher Series  A 240]

[1908]

It's very windy at Rhyl

signed Donald McGill

J A & Co

Published by Joseph Asher & Co. 3 & 4 Ivy Lane, London E C.

A 1450

Printed in Bavaria