CWS Printing Works, Longsight, Manchester

The Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS) was originally established in 1863 and the Scottish CWS followed in 1868. This is the time when steam and then electricity were the great forces behind industrial expansion, the fight for women's suffrage began in earnest with committees set up in London in 1865 and Manchester in 1867. And by the 1870s Boddingtons had become the city's biggest brewery. A full history of The Co-operative can be read here→

The C.W.S. Printing Works at Longsight, Manchester, was the Co-operative Wholesale Society's printing division, presumably set up to print labels and packaging for their range of products. During the 1930s a range of advertising playing cards and children's card games was produced promoting various products from the Co-op's range. The Ace of Spades features the wheatsheaf motif in the centre with the legend "Labor and Wait" on a banderole, with "C.W.S.Printing Works Longsight Manchester" beneath. The Joker is a full-length jester holding a bauble.

Above: advertising playing cards manufactured by C.W.S. Printing Works, Longsight, Manchester during the 1930s.

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C.W.S. “Snap” Games

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There are two types of tea. India and Ceylon produced black tea. China produced both black tea and green tea. Both are produced from the same plant. Leaves are steamed and dried to produce green tea. Black tea undergoes fermentation and further oxidization. In 1879, over 70 percent of the teas sold in London were from China. By 1900 China’s share had dramatically declined to 10 percent and the black teas from India and Ceylon constituted the bulk of the market   more →

2nd Film Series ‘Game of Snap’

2nd Film Series ‘Game of Snap’ depicting tea drinkers and production estates in Ceylon, published by the English & Scottish Joint C.W.S., 1930s.  See the Rules►

Above: 2nd Film Series ‘Game of Snap’ published by the English & Scottish Joint C.W.S., 1930s.

3rd Series ‘Game of Snap’

3rd Series ‘Game of Snap’ depicting history and scenes from the tea trade.  See the Rules►

Above: 3rd Series ‘Game of Snap’ published by the English & Scottish Joint C.W.S., 1930s.

4th Series ‘Game of Snap’

See the Rules►

Above: 4th Series ‘Game of Snap’ published by the English & Scottish Joint C.W.S., 1930s.

Other C.W.S. ‘Snap’ games

Above: another “Game of Snap” manufactured by C.W.S. Printing Works, Manchester during the 1930s. The reverse features the wheatsheaf motif with the legend "Labor and Wait".