"Henry Moss & Co"

The "Start Off" Series

Henry Moss & Co  (H M & Co)

The company Pascalis, Moss & Co were publishing postcards produced on the continent by 1900, but Charles H, Pascalis (born Switzerland circa 1877) left in 1902 and the company became Henry Moss & Co, moving to 8 Cheapside, London, E.C. in 1903.  In 1904 Henry Vertigen left the company to form Howe, Vertigen & Co. The firm does not appear to have continued publishing postcards later than 1905. A wide variety of cards were produced but the only ones of interest are in the "Start Off" series, as Fred Stone was one of the artists, as was Louis Wain.

Start Off Series

Because of the early postal regulations, where the message had to on the other side of the card to the address, many early post cards left room on the picture side for a message. A number of companies also included the start of a message which could then be completed by the sender. The best known of these were published by Raphael Tuck in the "Write away" series (by artists such as Lance Thackery and Louis Wain). Wrench also publish similar cards, while those published by Henry Moss were called the "Start off" series. Fred Stone (signed "F S") produced a single set of cards.

"F S" (Fred Stone) cards in the "Start Off" Series 188

Published by H M & Co. London    [Probably a set of 6 cards]

There is a very important reason

1 July 1904

 

I expect to be engaged

 

I am rather uneasy

I was so startled

 

There's only time for a sentence

  ?

Other "Start Off" series artists included Louis Wain

If not presented

Signed Louis Wain

 

I feel rather upset

Signed Louis Wain

 

I hope I'm not too late

Signed Louis Wain

Raphael Tuck "Write Away" cards for comparison

Do  let me persuade you

undivided back

January 1901

 

Somewhat Surprisingly

undivided back

January 1902

 

 

I little thought

 

I suddenly occurred to me

 

Will you join

Wrench cards for comparison

Awfully sorry to refuse

 

Many apologies

 

Will you join me

There is no reason to link the company with "H M & Co" of Blackpool, who was publishing cards in around 1910