Philpott & Collins

Philpott & Collins

Bulawayo/Gwelo/Salisbury

Eric Philpott & Charles Collins (1876-1931) originally worked as compositors for The Bulawayo Chronicle.

Around 1902 they formed a partnership, taking ownership of an existing printing and stationery business, Case & Co. The business was located in the Main Avenue Buildings on the corner of 7th Avenue and Main St, Bulawayo. In July, 1902, they became one of the first Rhodesian publishers of picture postcards.

From around 1906, they began to publish books. Some of their more famous books include The Bulawayo Cookery Book (1909), Rhodesian Rhymes (1909) More Rhodesian Rhymes (1913) and Bird’s Tales (1930). By 1908 they had re-located to the Brest Building in Abercorn St where they also sold curios.

Charles Collins died at the Cecil Hotel, Bulawayo on 7th March, 1931 and it appears that Philpott moved to Northern Rhodesia, as an article in the Cape Times in 1938 noted he was a resident from there.

Soon after the business became Philpott & Collins Ltd.By the 1950’s it again changed to Philpott & Collins (PVT) Ltd.

Postcards

• 1902 – Local Views
• 1904 – Pictorial Views I
• 1904 – Pictorial Views II
• 1905 – Pictorial Views III
• 1904 – Coat of Arms Green I (Numbered)
• 1904 – Coat of Arms Green II (Numbered)
• 1904 – Pedrotti’s Victoria Falls
• 1905 – Pedrotti’s Bulawayo
• 1909 – Recessed Border Series
• 1907 – Royal Arms I
• 1907 – Royal Arms II
• 1905 – Rhodesian Crest Black
• 1906 – Rhodesian Crest Blue
• 1912 – Rhodesian Crest Bright Blue
• 1907 – Rhodesian Crest Dark Blue
• 1906 – Rhodesian Crest Green
• 1908 – Rhodesian Crest Red
• 1905 – Shangani Memorial Panel
• 1928 – African Art I
• African Art II

Other Publishers

• Tucks: Philpott & Collins – Real Photo
• Tucks: Philpott & Collins – Southern Rhodesia Publicity Bureau I 
• Tucks: Philpott & Collins – Southern Rhodesia Publicity Bureau II

References

• Journal of the Rhodesian Study Circle No.246
• Journal of the Rhodesian Study Circle No.248
• Journal of the Rhodesian Study Circle No.249

Contributors

• Andrew Wilkie
• Ian Johnstone
• Walter Herdzik
• Terry Cowlard
• Keith Harrop
• Malcolm Murphy
• Jefferson Ritson