Early advertising in local newspapers

The importance and value of advertising and publicity to any business should not be underestimated; it is, however, particularly important to auctioneers and estate agents. Peacocks have enjoyed a continuous relationship with the local press in Bedford throughout the firm's history, especially with the Bedfordshire Times newspaper series. The first advertisement placed by Peacocks appeared in The Bedfordshire Times and Independent on 20 September 1901, regarding the aforementioned house to let in Whitbread Avenue. The following week, a house with: ‘8 bedrooms, bath h & c. first class servants’ offices, in the highest part of Bedford. Repainted and decorated throughout …’ was advertised to let at sixty pounds per annum. In the same paper the business also advertised a furnished thirteen bedroom mansion within three miles of Bedford aimed at, ‘HUNTING MEN & OTHERS’. The property has not been identified although it is possible that it was Howbury Hall, Renhold, as this property was later recorded in 1919 in Instruction Book 4 and the accommodation is strikingly similar.

On 13 December 1901, Peacocks advertised the intention to hold monthly sales of: ‘HORSES, HARNESS and VEHICLES, IMPLEMENTS, BICYCLES & c. Next Sale, SATURDAY, DEC 21, 1901, at Two o’clock sharp’, at Bedford Cattle Market. The advertisement of the 20 December 1901 listed the items for sale on the following day as:

A rival newspaper to The Bedfordshire Times and Independent was The Bedfordshire Standard, with offices at 61 High Street, Bedford. This paper, and others, was also regularly used by Peacocks to run adverts for auctions, for example, The Bedfordshire Standard was used on 3 July 1903 to advertise a sale to be held at the King William IV Inn, Kempston, on 10 July 1903.