Old newspapers

[rosbif]

As I've been stripping off old crumbly plaster, I've discovered the ancient practice of rolling up newspaper and stuffing it into the edges, presumably to add that certain je ne sais quoi to the finish.
Lots of 1960's Daily Express, but the best I've found so far is a bit of the "Sunday Empire News" (whatever happened to that fine organ?) dated July 13 1947. Stories include the problems for Atlee's government (no change there, then), "Is your child naughty" (no change there either) and man beaten up by gang with crowbar (obviously, a member of this group on a night off) plus adverts for Mars Bars and Robertson's Silver Shred Marmalade.
Anybody found anything earlier?

 

[Nemesis]

Mid 19th c Hexham Courants?

 

[chuckey]

I had a 1934 built semi, under the lino was guess what, a 1934 newspaper. It was advertising new semis in Welyn Garden suburb for £120. Decor through was original. Only missing feature was the solid fuel boiler from the kitchen
Frank

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Have been saving the papers found in my project - some 1970s ones from the offending "modernisation" - but also some from 1940's showing war progress.

Incidentally how does one date boxes of Players cigarettes? I have some nice ones with full colour pics on them - still with the smell of tobacco inside.

 

[Nemesis]

One could ask:

http://www.upinsmoke.ismysite.co.uk/


http://www.cigarettepacket.com/

 

[plumbers mate]

We knew the electric was put in because of the 1935 newspaper mixed up with the bits of cut up wire under the floor. Those electricians smoked Woodies. Tab ends as well as an empty packet were found. Paper has been returned under the floor, the tab ends thrown out and the box kept.

 

[Ian Bond]

Good detective work!

Newspaper's great for helping to date alterations, where it's been stuffed into gaps and so on. Very frustrating when it all falls to pieces as you unravel it looking for the bits with the date on.

I found an old Penguin biscuit wrapper shoved under the attic floor, along with old bits of electrical wiring.

I was puzzled by the McDonald brand name though, but it gave a useful clue to dating my discovery:

http://www.unitedbiscuits.com/80256C1A0047922E/vWeb/pcTSTT5EPGG9

Penguin was first produced in 1932 by William McDonald, a biscuit manufacturer in Glasgow, and became a McVitie’s brand when McDonald joined with McVitie’s and Price, MacFarlane Lang & Co and Crawford to form United Biscuits in 1946.

Yes - I know - I should get out more!!

 

[FamilyWiggs]

One could ask:

http://www.upinsmoke.ismysite.co.uk/


http://www.cigarettepacket.com/

Thanks Nemesis - Think I have dated the packet to the 1930's - which means I have 3 separate pieces of work in my C16th Welsh farmhouse in the last century- 1930s, 1945 and 1973-1975.

Sadly I have found nothing from earlier centuries yet.

I have of course secreted away a copy of the Times and details of the four of us living in the house in a void behind a blocked up doorway.

What do others do to leave their mark? I am thinking of a second datestone when i have finished the works, since I guess they are probably the most substantial (and conservative) works since the place was built.

 

[Gervase]

I usually sign and date plasterwork in pencil - either under the skim coat or on top behind a skirting board. And when finishing anything in stone or brick I leave a coin under the last stone/brick.

 

[glayzell]

in my house i removed a sheet of plasterboard to find some old walpaper, which was broken up, underneath was a 1863 copy of the East Kent Gazette, i read a few articles, and put the boars back.