Cherry Blossom Bookmark and Calendar

c. 1889
Overview

The Cherry Blossom Bookmark was likely a promotional bookmark exhibiting a snapshot of early branding and publicity techniques, tying together air travel and consumer products. The text on bookmark reads: CHERRY BLOSSOM BOOK MARK, Perfume Toilet Powder & Soap. There is an illustration of a hot air balloon shaped like a perfume bottle, marked CHERRY BLOSSOM-John Gosnell & Co. London and Paris." This was a marketing stunt by John Gosnell and Co. to advertise their Cherry Blossom range. The company was famous for its advertising techniques. This hot air balloon promotional event was reported in French Newspaper 'Le Figaro' on 7th September 1898. The Newspaper started in 1826 and is still in circulation today. Text on bookmark in French: LE FIGARO, 7-9-89, L’ascension du ballon-flacon”le Cherry Blossom” a parfaitement reussi. Parti de Grenelle apres avoir attaint 2,800 meters d’altitude il est tombe pres de Vellsy, en Seine-et-Oise. That translates in English as: 'The ascent of the Cherry Blossom balloon was a complete success. After reaching an altitude of 2,800 meters, it took off from Grenelle and landed near Vellsy in Seine-et-Oise.' The distance between Grenelle (Paris) to Vélizy-Vixy (in Seine-et-Oise) is approximately 15 Km. Grenelle is a district in Paris known historically for balloon ascents. The back of the bookmark has two calendars: One for 1890 and one for 1891. Each month is boxed with days of the week marked clearly.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-94-2025. 31
Item type
Material
Width
72 mm
Height or length
112 mm
Place made
United Kingdom
Year
Primary significance criteria
Artistic or aesthetic significance
Historic significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Well provenanced
Last modified
Thursday, 10 July, 2025
Completeness
88
Permissions

This image is for personal use only. To publish or display it, please contact the City of Gosnells.
Heritage_Queries@gosnells.wa.gov.au

Attribution requirements

Courtesy of City of Gosnells Museum at Wilkinson Homestead

City of Gosnells Museum - Wilkinson Homestead

City of Gosnells Museum - Wilkinson Homestead

Organisation Details
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Verso of Cherry Blossom Bookmark

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