[Shooting ephemera from Victorian Banbury.] Handbill advertisement by T. M. Watkins of Banbury, giving 'Reduced Prices of Shot Cartridges' for the 'Shooting Season, 1893', together with notice regarding 'Sporting Season, 1886.'

Both items in very good condition, lightly aged. ONE: Printed in blue on a 26.5 x 21 cm piece of light-green paper. In very good condition.. In a variety of fonts and point sizes. Among a number of different products advertised are 'Smokeless Cartridges', with the notice: 'T. M. WATKINS has for many years given special personal attention to, and has been highly successful in, the filling of Cartridges and Nitro Compounds, and can confidently recommend his make as the very best, and for shooting qualities equal, or superior, to anything in the market.' Also 'Schultze, E.C., or S.S. Powder, in Special Cases', and '"SPECIAL" CARTRIDGES. | T. M. W. continues to load his "Special" Cartridges - Brown Cases, good Powder and Wadding, but slightly cheaper materials than the Best Brown, 7/- cash, 7/6 credit.' Beneath the firm's address, at the foot of the page, is the printers' slug. TWO: Notice regarding the 'SPORTING SEASON, 1886.' 2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. One page in form of a letter from T. J. Watkins, drawing attention to a 'Price List of Cartridges' (not present). Watkins boasts: 'All Cartridges are loaded carefully under my own supervision, and their quality may be relied on.' The other page carries a list of twelve individuals, under the heading: 'The following, amongst other Gentlemen, have expressed their entire satisfaction with the Cartridges supplied by T. J. W. during last Season.' The list begins with 'THE RIGHT HON. LORD LAWRENCE, Chetwode, Buckingham', and ends with 'L. M. WYNNE, Esq., Nether Worton House, Enstone.' From the archive of Cheney & Sons, 'General, Commercial & Artistic Printers, Banbury'. The calling card of partner John Cheney describes him as a 'Printer in Gold, Silver, and Colours', with 'Specialities in the best class of work', and the company's high standards attracted clients from London's West End. For more about the firm see 'John Cheney and his descendants, printers in Banbury since 1767' (1936), and the Victoria County History volume for the County of Oxford, Banbury Hundred.