“Hobbies Will Give You Endless Hours of Happiness” – Original 1920s Fretwork Tools Advertisement by Hobbies Ltd., Dereham, Norfolk

Description

Description:
This captivating vintage advertisement from the 1920s showcases Hobbies Ltd., a well-known British company based in Dereham, Norfolk, famous for its fretwork tools and kits. The ad promotes a variety of fretwork tool sets that could be used to create everything from pipe racks, photo frames, hall stands, coal cabinets, and more—a wonderful mix of practicality and creativity.

Highlighted in the ad is “The A1 Outfit”, which includes a handsaw, drill, saw table, and essential tools, all priced at 16 shillings and 6 pence. These kits allowed both adults and children to explore woodworking and model-making from the comfort of home. The ad boasts that each outfit is “ALL BRITISH” and supplied complete with instructions, materials, and even design plans.

A featured illustration shows a young man using a treadle fretsaw—a foot-operated saw—emphasizing the DIY ethos and hands-on creativity that Hobbies Ltd. championed. The 216-page catalogue mentioned in the ad offered over 1,000 illustrations and was a staple resource for aspiring crafters and hobbyists of the era.

The artist of the drawing remains uncredited, as was common at the time, but the ad design and typography reflect the clear and efficient communication style typical of interwar British product advertising.

This advertisement has been mounted on black cardboard and measures approximately 12 x 15 cm (4.7 x 5.9 inches). It is a perfect addition for collectors of vintage tools, British industrial history, or early 20th-century hobbyist culture.

Condition Note:
This is a genuine vintage print from the 1920s. Due to its age, light signs of wear such as slight discoloration, minor paper creasing, or edge wear may be present. These qualities add to its authentic character and historical charm.