Modern History through the lens of Branding

The entrance

Probably about once every couple of months over the last year or so I've met up with a friend to chat and visit an Exhibition or Museum - our most recent visit was  this Friday and  the venue was The Museum of Brands Packaging and Advertising - it's currently located in Notting Hill (it's been moving around a bit).


The guiding light behind the project is a guy called Robert Opie - he describes himself as a social historian (not a crazed collector).


The Museum is actually quite delightful and somewhat eccentric but offers a nice route into modern history, there's a nice little cafe, which on the day in question meant we could have a pleasant cup of coffee and a pastry in the sunny courtyard.

Me and my shadow

Although the day was very hot - premises were comfortable and airy.



Rather oddly we traversed the collection in reverse starting out in the modern day and moving back in time to conclude in what could be described as Victoriana.




 Unlike many exhibitions this was 'text light' and relied on visitor putting in some work - as long as you've been around for some time (or are a student of history) you'll inevitably have some moments where you're transported back in time - as someone who has radios of various kinds for over 50 years there was plenty of items I could relate to.

Just opposite was a splendidly decorated old pub/hotel

Once the Kensington Park Hotel

Staff are nice there are various discounts available on £9 ticket (I was half price by virtue of being a National Trust member) , there's a shop and staff are very nice and friendly.

My companion for the visit was an ardent left wing environmentalist but was able to get something from the visit - although like me he was a bit puzzled by the growth of novelty products that can carry your own name (Marmite, Coke and Heinz beans to name just a few).

and here's a panorama of the current premises (Photography is prohibited).

Great entrance...

[On entering museum I was embarrassed by a tourist wanting to know the nearest police station sadly London has lost so many (seems more than 4 in 10 to me) - the guy had been pick-pocketed, he asked at reception of the museum and they struggled to help hi too - felt a bit like we were a developing country]