1938 Frederick Hotels Vintage Print Ad – Harrogate Folkestone Bexhill Ephemera

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Item ID: 297241135454
eBay Seller ID: britishfareasttraders
eBay Store Link: View this item
Category: Collectables:Paper & Ephemera:Ephemera:1901-1950
Condition: In decent condition. Please check our images.

1938 Frederick Hotels Vintage Print Ad – Harrogate Folkestone Bexhill Ephemera

Rare 1938 Overseas Daily Mail tourism advertisement featuring iconic British seaside and spa destinations–perfect for collectors of vintage hospitality and travel ephemera.

Measurements: approx. 5 5/8 x 7 1/2 inches
Dates: n/a
Condition: In decent condition, please see images. 
Internal notes: QC passed

Imagine stepping off a steamship in 1938, your leather suitcase in hand, the Overseas Daily Mail tucked under your arm, brimming with promise and wanderlust. The air carries the scent of sea salt and railway smoke, and inside this very paper, an elegant call to England awaits–a full-page advertisement inviting international travellers to Harrogate, Bexhill-on-Sea, and Folkestone. Each panel in the ad paints a vivid scene of leisure and luxury: grand facades of the Majestic, Sackville, and Royal Pavilion Hotels offer a glimpse into a refined world of spa indulgence, sun-drenched promenades, and seaside festivities.

This original 1938 print advertisement was published in the Overseas Daily Mail, targeted specifically at visitors from abroad–making it an exceptional example of pre-war British tourism marketing. The featured hotels belonged to the distinguished Frederick Hotels chain, known for their commitment to “Delightful Environment, Comfort Assured, and Efficient Service.” The presence of three distinct regional destinations–Harrogate, Bexhill, and Folkestone–adds to the item’s collectible value, offering insight into the travel aspirations and hotel standards of the interwar years.

Preserving a piece like this isn’t merely about nostalgia–it’s about keeping history tangible, recognising the artistry and elegance of early 20th-century British print advertising. Whether you are a historian, ephemera collector, or hotel industry researcher, this advertisement provides a deeply evocative glimpse into the golden age of travel–a time when even a hotel stay was an event worthy of poetic promotion. Items like this remind us of how far we’ve come, and the charm of what was.