Tootal - The Company History and its products (ties, scarves etc)

[Two Types]

I notice from the bottom of one of the Canadian adverts that the company name in Canada is 'Broadhurst Lee' rather than 'Tootal Broadhurst Lee' in the UK, or 'T B Lee' in the USA.

 

[Two Types]

I posted these new purchases on 'Show us your ties' today:

First a Tootal 'Green Quality':

Another 'Green Quality':

This is a 'Black Quality':

Plus, a close up of my latest Tootal scarf:

 

[Two Types]

Tootal Shirt Advert 1927

Here's an advert for Tootal shirts from 1927:

They are advertised as 'Red Label' poplin shirts, coming with two detachable collars - for 10 shillings and sixpence.

I tried to search in newspaper archives under 'Tootal ties' pre-1930, but nothing comes up. This would suggest they didn't move into tie production until the thirties.

 

[DNO]

I only have three Tootal items: a muffler and two scarves. Here's the labels.

First the muffler...I suspect it's the oldest.

And the scarves, in order of suspected age.

 

[Ben Stephens]

Here is what I believe to be quite an early cravat from Tootal in my collection

Ties 001 by Monte Carlo4, on Flickr

 

[Ben Stephens]

Here are some more ties with what we now believe is the pre 53 label


Ties 007 by Monte Carlo4, on Flickr


Ties 006 by Monte Carlo4, on Flickr


Ties 005 by Monte Carlo4, on Flickr


Ties 003 by Monte Carlo4, on Flickr


Ties 002 by Monte Carlo4, on Flickr
Ben

 

[Two Types]

Here is what I believe to be quite an early cravat from Tootal in my collection

Ties 001 by Monte Carlo4, on Flickr

What is it that makes this one appear to be earlier?

 

[Two Types]

Does anyone have any 'Super Quality' Tootal ties? I think the first range of Tootal ties was divided into two categories: 'Standard Quality' & 'Super Quality'. I don't have any 'super'. So it would be good to see an example. I assume the difference will be similar to the difference between the 'standard' and the 'special' (i.e. the 'special' ties are lined and are made of a silkier fabric) in the later period.

Here is an advert from Xmas 1932 showing 'standard' and 'super' for sale:

 

[Ben Stephens]

What is it that makes this one appear to be earlier?

Nothing I am afraid Two Types, just a hunch from the feel of it compared to some of the other Tootal Cravats I have, however, I can not present it as anything more than my experience of handling vintage cothing.

Kindest Regards

 

[Ben Stephens]

Does anyone have any 'Superior Quality' Tootal ties? I think the first range of Tootal ties was divided into two categories: 'Popular Quality' & 'Superior Quality'. I only have one 'popular' and don't have any 'superior'. So it would be good to see an example. I assume the difference will be similar to the difference between the 'standard' and the 'special' (i.e. the 'special' ties are lined and are made of a silkier fabric).

I will have a look, and see what I have. I woud have thought they would be quite rare, the adverts indicate they were quite a bit more expensive.

Also, looking at the Wartime price list, it seems they had the three qualities, Standard, Popular and Special at that point.

Kindest Regards

Ben

 

[Two Types]

This is the earliest advert I have found for Tootal ties. It's from 1932 and describes them as "washable and uncreaseable":

These three adverts from 1933 refer to 'uncreaseable' and 'eversmooth' ties. Their choice of punctuation is confusing, thus I am unsure whether eversmooth is part of the description for the Tootal ties, or whether it is a separate brand:

By 1934 Tootal were offering scarves with ties to match. This is interesting since i don't recall ever seeing matching ties and scarves. Does anyone have any examples?

In 1934 they also started advertising their ties as "anti-crease, washable and almost unwearoutable.":

Again 1934, the first mention of 'standard' and 'super' quality ties. The super are cost an extra one shilling:

Another 1934 advert. I think this shows why Tootal were succesful. Their standard price for a tie was 1 shilling and sixpence, all other ties were two and six:

1935, we see them advertised as "Always neat. Always smart. In an extensive range of designs and colours.":

 

[Two Types]

On to Xmas 1936 and Tootal ties are down in price, selling at one shilling:

If you don't want to buy a novelty 'tie in a cracker', you can select from 2,000 Tootal ties in stock at this shop:

Still Xmas 1936 and Tootal ties are again being advertised to match their scarves:

 

[Two Types]

Of course, they did not only sell ties and scarves. There was also the pyramid range of handkerchiefs:

1935, and the advert poses the question: "Are you joining in this modern tendency to brighter Men's wear? Are you wearing more colourful shirts and gayer ties?" They claim their handkerchiefs will "add a touch of colour to your life.":

1936, and the British male is told to "Kick over the traces" since "Men are rebelling! Brighter shirts! More cheerful ties!"

1936 also sees Tootal producing shirts with 'Trubenized' collars:

1936 also saw them selling a range of shirts under the brand name 'Wyanar':

Back in 1929 they were selling 'Red Label' tunic shirts in pinstripes, with soft, detachable collars:

Here is an advert from 1933 showing the variety of fabrics produced by Tootal:

 

[Two Types]

In 1938 Tootal ran a series of adverts featuring animals whose skins related to tie pattern:

These adverts are for 'standard and 'popular' quality ties - no mention of 'super' or 'special'.

 

[Two Types]

1937 Adverts:

this shop offers a stock over 3,500 Tootal ties!

Interestingly, this advert shows four different prices for Tootal ties. Through most of the 1930s it appeared there were 'Standard' 'Popular' and 'Super'. So what was the fourth category?

'Special' appears to have come in during 1939, to replace 'Super' - as shown by these adverts from 1939:

 

[Ben Stephens]

That advert with the four prices is a mystery, the lowest price is 1/6, not 1/ as the other adverts. I wonder if they were charging a bit more than the Tootal rrp?

1/, 1/6 and 2/6 seem to be the Tootal price range around that time?

Kindest Regards

Ben

 

[Two Types]

Here is the guide to various types as we know it so far:

1932 - Standard & Super Qualities
1937 - 4 styles (but not certain of the names)
1938 - Popular and Standard Qualities
1939/1940 - Popular, Standard and Special Qualities
1950 - Popular, Standard, Sports and Special Qualities
1953/1954 - Red, Blue, Green and Black Qualities
1955 - Red, Blue, Green, Grey and Black Qualities.

Now we need to fill in the gaps.

 

[Two Types]

I have just noticed something else from the labels:

The 'Standard Quality' ties have two different labels: 1) 'Cotton and Rayon - Wash as silk or wool' 2) 'Rayon - wash as silk'.

So now we need to find out when they changed over to the different fabric. Any guesses?

My guess is that the cotton and rayon mix is earlier (this is a hunch based on the feel of the cloth).

 

[herringbonekid]

so after 1953 (ish) the Popular, Standard etc qualities were replaced with the coloured coded qualities ? that certainly makes dating the ties a lot easier.

 

[Two Types]

so after 1953 (ish) the Popular, Standard etc qualities were replaced with the coloured coded qualities ? that certainly makes dating the ties a lot easier.

That seems to be the case - I am still searching the newspaper archives, so hopefully i will be able to give a more definitive answer within the next week or so.