1930s – The early years

Launching a new product in the Depression was a bold venture, but there was also the advance of a new era of innovation and Art Deco reigned supreme with its linear decorative designs evocative of modern technology with curved surfaces and geometric patterns.

A surprising amount of advertising is undertaken in the 1930s, perhaps reflecting changing patterns of ownership and considerable product development.

1932 ad

This early advertisement points out to the reader that ‘the Aga cooker is British made’. Bell’s Engineering & Asbestos Ltd had become Bell’s Heat Appliances, sole licensees and manufacturers in the UK. The Aga was then manufactured in Smethwick, West Midlands.

The Aga’s cooking virtues are promoted, as are the low running costs of less then £4 a year. The call to action for the advert invites the reader to write in for a 16-page Aga booklet.

Note the Deferred Payments system – an Aga cooker could be installed for an initial sum of £5 10 shillings! Seems like credt is nothing new!

Full pdf of 1932 Article (90kb)

1934 ad

This advertisement seeks to overcome the ‘Can’t afford an Aga’ belief by pointing out the savings a household could make buying a new Aga and how it could be purchased over one, two or three years. The illustrated brochure has gained eight more pages in two years. The advertisement shows the additional hot cupboard attached.

Full pdf of 1934 Article (74kb)

1935 series of ads

During 1934, Bell’s Heat Appliances was acquired by a newly set up Aga Heat Ltd, which in turn was to be acquired by Allied Ironfounders in 1935.

This set of advertisements, which appeared in Punch in 1935 were rather highbrow, using Greek philosophers to introduce the main benefits of the Aga cooker:
A fine cooking stove
An object of desire
A labour-saving stove
A good investment

Full pdf of 1935 Articles (145kb)

1938 ad

The launch of the new standard model, or the 47/10, because it cost £47 10 shillings featured a coupon response for the reader to fill in and return for ‘free, without obligation, illustrated literature’.

The product stands solo without kitchen adornment and inset photographs illustrate the benefits of this heat storage cooker. Note also that the Aga has adopted the definition ‘cooker’ and not ‘stove’ as previously.

Full pdf of 1938 Article (87kb)