This WH Smith advertising sign is guided at £200-300.
Lovers of British high street heritage have the opportunity to own a piece of retail history, as Chorley’s Auctioneers hosts a timed online auction of 83 lots from the WH Smith Archive Trust collection.
This unique sale brings together a nostalgic collection of memorabilia from one of the UK’s most enduring and recognisable retail brands. WHSmith, established in 1792, played a pivotal role in shaping British retail, particularly through its innovations in newspaper and book distribution, such as pioneering railway bookstalls in the 1840s.
The items on offer include historic signage, store models, and distinctive items of corporate and cultural interest, all at accessible price points for most collectors. Estimates range from £40-£60 to £1200-£1800.
Highlights of the Sale
Among the standout lots are:
Pictorial panels
A large tiled WH Smith advertising sign of two pictorial panels and centred by a blue ground text panel 'Newspapers Books and Periodicals sent to all parts of the World', in original oak frame, estimate £300-500.
This WH Smith advertising sign is estimated at £300-500.
Enamel advertising signs
Two WH Smith enamel advertising signs with red backgrounds and wood frames, one reading 'Books & magazines tastefully & strongly bound in all styles’; the other 'High grade notepapers and distamping'. Estimate £300-500.
These two WH Smith enamel advertising signs are guided at £300-500.
Shop sign
A large brown painted lead shop sign for WH Smith & Son, circa 1900, estimate £200-400.
This shop sign for WH Smith & Son is estimated at £200-400.
WH Smith’s display lettering was designed in 1903 by Eric Gill. The font was used for the first time on the fascia of Smith’s shop on the rue de Rivoli in Paris, reputedly painted by hand by Gill himself. It continued to be used by the firm into the late 1950s and the font services today under the moniker of ‘Gill Fascia’.
Original ‘Newsboy’ advertising signs
These classic enamel and printed signs evoke the bustling atmosphere of mid-20th century street corners and storefronts, where paperboys were a fixture of daily life. The example shown here is estimated at £600-800.
This classic newsboy sign is estimated at £600-800.
The iconic WH Smith newsboy emblem was designed for Smith’s in 1905 by the artist Septimus E. Scott (1880-1966). Scott went on to design railway posters and illustrations including for other well-known brands such as Rowntree and Wincarnis. He also illustrated a number of Ladybird books.
Read our interview with Helen, the Ladybird book collector.
Wrought iron WH Smith logo signs
Decoratively crafted signs that once adorned shopfronts, combining historical branding with striking period typography and design. The W H Smith 'egg' logo was designed in 1905 by RP Glossop, with the initials ‘WHS’ expanded to fill an oval frame. Estimate £500-700.
The estimate on these brackets is £500-700.
Other highlights in the auction include:
Classic WH Smith newspaper delivery bicycle
An adapted "Model N" tradesman’s bicycle by Gundle, complete with original branding. By repute, the rear pannier bags and 'gabled' sign were designed, in part, to ensure the bikes were not used by newspaper boys to carry passengers. Estimate £200-300.
You could ride away from the auction on this WH Smith delivery bike. It is guided at £200-300.
1930s model
An architectural model of the WH Smith building, Bridge House, Albert Embankment, from the 1930s, estimate £400-600. The building was intended to serve as both a stationery factory and book-binding workshop, allowing Smith’s to consolidate three existing West End buildings into one. It was demolished in the 1970s.
This architectural model is guided at £400-600.
Bust of the Right Hon. WH Smith MP
A rare marble bust by Henry Pinker (1849–1927), depicting the company’s namesake and former Member of Parliament. This stately piece reflects the significance of the Smith family not just in business, but also in public service. Estimate £1200-1800.
This bust of the Right Hon. WH Smith MP carries hopes of £1200-£1800.
Design evolution
"This auction doesn’t just tell the story of WH Smith - it offers insight into the broader evolution of British retail, design, and everyday life over the last century," said the auction house. "It’s a privilege to handle such historically significant pieces."
Established in 1997, the WH Smith Archive Trust was formed to preserve and manage a collection of artefacts, documents, and memorabilia related to the Smith family and the company's history. In 2010, the Trust donated its archival documents and correspondence to the University of Reading. The proceeds from this auction will be donated to charity, continuing the Trust's legacy of public benefit.
Six years ago, the Trust consigned a number of items to Chorley's which were offered for sale in an auction held on April 16, 2019.
Viewing in person for this latest auction is by appointment at Chorley's, Prinknash Abbey Park, Cheltenham.
See the lots now on thesaleroom.com.
