Collection of Colwyn Bay Souvenirs

Pictured here is a selection of typical Seaside Souvenirs dating from 1900 onwards. It was traditional to buy a souvenir of a visit to the seaside, and similar items were produced for every seaside town in the country. They're often low-quality, and really rather naff... which adds to their appeal now in a strange sort of way!

If you have any old souvenirs you would like to donate to the collection, please send them to the Pier, address here

A collection of typical Seaside Souvenirs from Colwyn Bay - mostly from 1900 to 1930s.

These manufacturers will be familiar to collectors - they made china souvenirs for virtually every seaside town of note in the UK.

This Cup and Saucer was made for D Allen & Sons China Rooms in Colwyn Bay, as can be seen by the back stamp.

This is the very shop. Daniel Allen & Sons was established in Leek, Staffordshire in 1869. In 1883 they moved to Station Road, Colwyn Bay. At 20,000 square feet, it was one of the largest and most prestigious shops in town. The shop closed in 1971, because the Directors felt they could no longer find goods to sell which were a high enough quality to those their customers were used to. The beautiful shop front has gone, and the building is now occupied by a pub.

Allen's advert from a 1934 Tourist Guide in our archives.

This china Harp, was made in Stoke-on-Trent, England for retail by John Homan of Station Road, Colwyn Bay, Wales... Although the Harp has been a national emblem of Wales for centuries, this one is covered in shamrock on the back and front, so you would be given to think it is an Irish Harp - a bit of a mix up of countries?!... not quite sure what is going on here then - perhaps a hybrid to appeal to Irish tourists?... or perhaps the makers just got a bit mixed up!

This is John Homan's Emporium on Station Road, Colwyn Bay.
The advert is from a 1902 Tourist Guide in our archives.

This little vase was made for T Edwards of Colwyn Bay.

Some items were produced depicting Victoria Pier and the Pavilion - these three pieces must date between 1900 (when the pier opened) and 1903 (when the pier was extended in length), as they show the pier ending just beyond the pavilion.