Almost from the onset of production of motor vehicles at Longbridge, Herbert Austin recognised the importance of bringing the name of his company and its respective ‘trade mark’ to as many prospective purchasers of his Motor Cars as possible.
One way of achieving this was by introducing a range of ‘Novelties’ which, like his motor cars were produced to the highest standard of quality available. Initially customers of Austin Motor Cars were offered wings and wheel pin badges in nickel for a few shillings each, or in hall-marked gold for 10/6d, in order to show others that their preferred choice of motor car was an ‘Austin’. By the beginning of World War One, the range included napkin rings, pocket watches, powder compacts, menu holders, tie pins, cuff links and hat pins for the ladies, and many other items too numerous to mention.
Today of course these ‘Novelties’ are highly sought after and often fetch high prices at auction.
The range of items listed below are offered, not now as a means of selling more cars, but as a tribute to this once great motor manufacturer and to the man whose name they bore. Like the novelties of almost a century ago the items listed below are also produced to the highest standard possible, and I am certain that they will not only surpass your expectations, but who knows, may even increase in value like those produced many years earlier.
