The global mail order industry is now worth tens of billions of dollars. However, few people know that it is the invention of a clother.
In the early 19th century, the town of Newtown on the banks of the River Severn in Wales – whose land was barren and unsuitable for crop farming but quite ideal for the development of many species of livestock such as sheep – was rose to become the largest woolen industry center in England. Here in 1859, the young Pryce Pryce-Jones (1834 – 1920) opened his own Royal Welsh Warehouse. Jones inherited the fortune from his former owner John Davies, who had mentored him since he was 12 years old. That was also the year Newtown got its railroad.
A postcard advertising Pryce Jones’ mail-order service. (Photo: Northumberland Archives).
Perhaps while watching each train leave each day, Jones saw a very good business opportunity. Instead of just selling products over the counter like other fabric merchants in the city, he thought why not let customers order and deliver to them through the parcel service. It is considered the most convenient option for those who live in an isolated place but do not want to waste time and effort moving into the city. With that in mind, Jones began sending out a few sample items with flyers and prices to local customers. In addition, he also rented a warehouse near the railway line and compiled a product catalog.
Mr. Pryce Pryce-Jones.
This business model then quickly proved exceptionally effective and successful. Thanks to an ever-expanding rail network, Jones was able to sell the famous Welsh flannel throughout Europe, and even to the US and Australia. In order to serve an important partner like him, the London and North Western Railway Company dedicated Jones three carriages every day to the train along the Newtown – Euston line. First, the goods will be loaded on horse-drawn carriages, then transported by train. As a result, he was able to guarantee that most buyers in every region of the UK would receive their goods the next day. By 1880, the number of Jones’ clients had reached over 100,000, including Florence Nightingale (1820-1910, medical statistician who helped shape the position of the modern nursing profession). and Queen Victoria (1819-1901).
“Florence Nightingale was very fond of Jones’ fabrics, and he even named a fabric after her,” historian John Evans told the BBC. While many other documents say: “Queen Victoria was especially fond of breeches made of Welsh flannel.” This made Jones’s name even more famous. Many researchers say that he has successfully established a business empire similar to Amazon today, but not in Silicon Valley (Califoria) or another commercial center of the world, but in suburbs of Central Wales.
A catalog by Pryce Jones. (Photo: Bodleian Libraries).
Thanks to a prosperous business, Jones moved with his family to a large mansion in 1879. It was later expanded at least twice in 1887 and 1904. In the same 1879, he rebuilt it. Royal Welsh Warehouse on a larger and more beautiful scale right near Newtown Station. In 1895, along with the factory located directly opposite, Jones also set up a separate post office in front of his shop to serve himself with a large volume of orders. Besides the flagship product of flannel, Jones also invented the Euklisia Rug – an all-in-one (all-in-one) item that integrates soft, towels, blankets, pillows, the forerunner of the sleeping bag. (sleeping bag) – and exported around the world. Among the buyers of Euklisia Rug are British and Russian militaries; In addition, it was also used a lot by Prussian soldiers in the Franco-Prussian war (1870 – 1871, with the victory belonging to Prussia). This creation of Jones was patented in 1876. But he reached the pinnacle of glory when he was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1887. In addition, he was also elected as a Member of Parliament. and the Sheriff of Montgomeryshire.
The Royal Welsh Warehouse is still there in Newtown, but unfortunately Jones’ descendants were unable to save the crumbling business. In fact, right from the end of the 19th century, woolen factories here began to face many difficulties due to the lack of coal to operate (the cost of transporting coal from other places is very expensive), making the fabric more expensive and less competitive. . In 1912, Cambrian Mills – Newtown’s largest woolen mill – closed after being destroyed by a fire. Since then, this place has lost its position as the center of the woolen industry; Many workers leave to find work elsewhere. The impact of the Great Depression in the 1920s was even more severe, prompting Royal Welsh Warehouse to sell itself to another Liverpool business in 1938 – just before World War II.
Even so, no one can deny and underestimate the influence of Jones. His idea really revolutionized shopping, making items easier to access by people anywhere in the world.