BBB
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I dug up something that I think is on point. This advertisement appeared in the October 15, 1869 issue of Freeman's Journal (a leading Irish newspaper). The image may be a bit fuzzy, but it basically says that the BBB trademark will appear on "all their best makes of briar pipes". The date of publication of the notice (as opposed to publication of this particular ad) was September 22, 1869. At that time Blumfeld had one son; the other two were not yet born.
To me the fact that the BBB logo antedates the existence of Joseph and Siegfried Blumfeld proves that the three B's in BBB couldn't possibly have originally stood for Louis Blumfeld and two of his sons; or for that matter for his three sons. What it did stand for is still debatable.
To me the fact that the BBB logo antedates the existence of Joseph and Siegfried Blumfeld proves that the three B's in BBB couldn't possibly have originally stood for Louis Blumfeld and two of his sons; or for that matter for his three sons. What it did stand for is still debatable.
It is impressive that these sources have been found, and it is amusing that Blumfeld himself appears to have been so inconsistent with his reasoning. Seems maybe his memory was not the best.
That no definitive answer seems to be available makes this thread an exercise in futility which usually makes for an interesting/amusing thread.
So I found that issue of the Freeman's Journal and got a better screen shot of that ad.
From the copy in this ad, it seems clear that GBD was definitely Frankau's target competitor. Still speculation, but Frankau's new "BBB" logo seems to be a visual branding element in their attempt to compete directly with GBD.
From the copy in this ad, it seems clear that GBD was definitely Frankau's target competitor. Still speculation, but Frankau's new "BBB" logo seems to be a visual branding element in their attempt to compete directly with GBD.
Wow, I get the impression that there was no meaning behind the name except obvious association with GBD. Perhaps the reason for the inconsistent explanations later were simply a backronym.
Whether Blumfeld engaged in a spot of light fingered logo development or not, it won't surprise you to hear that Frankau was extremely strict in suing anyone coming within a country mile of the BBB brand. My personal favorite was in 1887 when they sued the crap out of a small competitor named Hopkins & Co for selling product with a logo consisting of a diamond with 3 R's in it.
Another favorite lawsuit from a year earlier happened when Marechal and Bine sued a NY competitor for using a logo consisting of the letters G.P.D. in an oval. I admire their chutzpah; the judge, however, did not.
Another favorite lawsuit from a year earlier happened when Marechal and Bine sued a NY competitor for using a logo consisting of the letters G.P.D. in an oval. I admire their chutzpah; the judge, however, did not.
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