Robert Salmon Artwork

The majority of this material is artwork for adverts, mainly for Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS) products or in-store promotional material for co-operative societies mostly in the North West of England. The items are mainly hand painted and mounted on board. There are some pencil drawings and sketches. Unless otherwise stated, all items are in colour.

Robert 'Bob' Salmon (1934-2009) was born in Radcliffe, Manchester. He joined the Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS) in c. 1950 after leaving school at the age of 15. He was employed as an apprentice and completed a college course while working, having shown a talent for art. He was employed in the Silk Screening Department of the CWS Printing Works at Reddish, Stockport. He did National Service for two years before returning to the CWS. He worked for the CWS until the early 1970s when he moved to work for Chad Valley toys as well as establishing himself as an independent artist.

The CWS Printing Works at Reddish (Stockport) was purchased by the Society in 1919, having been previously occupied by the Manchester Guardian. The factory served as an addition to the Printing Works at Longsight, South Manchester. The Reddish factory also had a photo-engraving and stereotyping department. The Works was extended in the late 1930s and was closed in 1986. This information was taken from The New History of the CWS by Percy Redfern (J M Dent & Sons, 1938).

The collection is open to any accredited reader, subject to the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018.

Some files in this collection are subject to Data Protection legislation as they contain sensitive information and material under 30 years old is closed to access. It is advised that you contact the Archivist before visiting.

Collection catalogued by Sophie McCulloch, Archivist & Donal Parker, Volunteer at the Co-operative Heritage Trust.

This collection was donated to the Co-operative Heritage Trust by Mrs June Salmon, wife of the late Robert Salmon in January 2020.

None expected.