Now! Then! Sam Hyam, gents’ outfitter of Briggate, Leeds, markets his spring collection to poetry-lovers

20 March 1852: Sam Hyam, gents’ outfitter of Briggate, Leeds, markets his spring collection to poetry-lovers

Samuel Hyam. 1852/03/20. To the Working Classes of Yorkshire. Leeds Mercury Get it:

Excerpt

Working classes of Yorkshire then rally around
The mart for the many where bargains abound;
S. Hyam for clothing yourselves or your boys,
The very best workman he always employs;
The fabrics, the cut and the workmanship show,
That this is the place where all classes should go,
Throughout the whole kingdom approval does ring,
Of Hyam’s magnificent stock for the spring!

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To facilitate reading, the spelling and punctuation of elderly excerpts have generally been modernised, and distracting excision scars concealed. My selections, translations, and editions are copyright.

Abbreviations

Comment

And who is “the Poet”? Not Sam Hyam himself, surely! Connection with Samuel Hyam, tailor, woollen draper and outfitter, active at 23 New Street, Birmingham in 1846? With Frederic M. Halford?

Murray Freedman:

One of the notable landmarks of the early years of the Leeds Jewish community was the very first Jewish marriage in 1842, between James Cohen Pirani and Abigail Davis, daughter of Gabriel Davis, optician and optical instrument maker of Boar Lane, and ‘father’ of the Leeds Jewish community. We know quite a lot about this marriage, and the bridegroom worked as manager of the Leeds branch of a Jewish owned chain of tailors and outfitters, Samuel Hyam & Co., a Jewish firm that incidentally anticipated much of Marks and Spencer’s sales practice in that it regularly advertised its policy of exchanging unsatisfactory goods.

Another Jewish tailor, E. Moses of 19 Thornton’s Building, Bridge Street, Bradford, advertises in verse just below Hyam:

I know some of the repertoire from the 1900s, but can someone tell me more about early 19th century Yiddish advertising verse and songs?

Something to say? Get in touch

Original

TO THE WORKING CLASSES OF YORKSHIRE!

There are some things which the Working Classes enjoy quite as much as the titled and the wealthy – and which neither money nor influence can purchase – and is not Spring one of them? the humble as well as the high enjoy that – and all can say in the words of the Poet:-

Ten thousand sweet welcomes to Spring, lovely Spring,
For beautiful Flow’rets around does it fling;
The sky has don’d her blue – and the earth is cloth’d with green,
Whilst sunshine and harmony gladden the scene!

Nor is nature alone at work – No! for

SAMUEL HYAM
NATIONAL TAILOR AND CLOTHIER, 42, BRIGGATE, LEEDS,

has for months been preparing the choicest specimens of CLOTHING ever presented to the Working Classes of Yorkshire adapted in every respect for the welcome season of Spring.

S. HYAM’S STUPENDOUS SPRING STOCK FOR 1852!

is the largest and most varied in the Kingdom – it is adapted for all trades and all occupations, and it is the cheapest and the best – so that purchasers are sure of getting well suited, and of effecting immense savings.

THE WORKING CLASSES OF THE PRINCIPAL TOWNS OF YORKSHIRE

would do well (when in want of clothing) to visit this celebrated ESTABLISHMENT – they may travel a score or two of miles on the rails – enjoy themselves in Leeds and see its vast attractions –

PURCHASE A SUIT OF HYAM,

and, AFTER PAYING EXPENSES, return home “MONEY IN POCKET,” from the savings effected at this eminently CHEAP ESTABLISHMENT.

THE PRICES OF HOLIDAY AND WORKING CLOTHING

are both surprisingly low, whilst the excellence of all is too well known to require comment.

Working Classes of Yorkshire then rally around
The Mart for the many where bargains abound;
S. HYAM for clothing yourselves or your boys,
The very best workman he always employs;
The fabrics – the cut and the workmanship show,
That this is the place where all classes should go,
Throughout the whole kingdom approval does ring,
Of HYAM’s magnificent stock for the Spring!

SAMUEL HYAM, 42, BRIGGATE, LEEDS!

416 words.