The Friend O'Man Dog Book c1922 Spratt's Patent Illustrated Canine Guide
 
Bibliographic Details
Title: The Friend O'Man. A Book for Everybody Who Owns or Wishes to Own a Dog.
Author: Anonymous.
Publisher: Probably Spratt's Patent Limited.
Place of Publication: Probably London.
Date: Circa 1922.
Edition: First known edition.
 
Although the booklet is undated, internal evidence allows it to be dated with reasonable confidence. It states that Spratt's had been established "more than sixty years ago." James Spratt began manufacturing his celebrated dog biscuits in the early 1860s, placing publication comfortably in the early 1920s. The booklet also features Towzer, mascot of the Royal Naval Air Service (1914–1918), indicating it post-dates the First World War while still referring to the organisation in a way consistent with the immediate post-war years. Taken together with the contemporary photography, typography, and references throughout, these factors support a publication date of circa 1922.
 
Historical & Bibliographic Context
An attractive and increasingly scarce illustrated guide to dog ownership, produced during the early twentieth century by, or for, Spratt's Patent Limited, pioneers of the world's first commercially manufactured dog food.
Although undated, the booklet can be confidently attributed to the early 1920s. Internal evidence records that James Spratt first conceived his revolutionary dog food business "more than sixty years ago", placing publication after approximately 1920. The cover features Towzer, mascot of the Royal Naval Air Service, illustrating the continued popularity of First World War imagery during the inter-war period.
Rather than serving as a simple advertising catalogue, this publication offers practical guidance on responsible dog ownership, covering feeding, housing, breeding, health, exercise and general management. Numerous breed photographs and illustrations throughout provide an excellent visual record of many popular pedigree dogs of the period.
Today it offers an engaging glimpse into changing attitudes towards domestic animals during the early twentieth century and represents an attractive example of illustrated commercial ephemera from one of Britain's best-known pet food manufacturers.
 
About Spratt's Patent Limited
Founded by James Spratt during the nineteenth century, Spratt's Patent Limited pioneered the commercial manufacture of dog biscuits and became one of the world's most influential companies devoted to animal nutrition. Their publications helped educate generations of dog owners on feeding and canine welfare.
 
Illustrations
The booklet is illustrated throughout with numerous photographs and breed studies, several credited to the celebrated canine photographer Thomas Fall, together with photographs by Hedges of Lytham.
Subjects include many of Britain's most popular pedigree breeds together with an illustrated history of Spratt's and a portrait of founder James Spratt.
 
Binding & Exterior
Original publisher's illustrated paper wrappers secured by two wire staples.
The booklet remains complete but displays honest age-related wear including marks, foxing, creasing and small edge tears that do not affect readability. The staples remain present and functional.
 
Interior Condition
Pages are lightly toned with occasional foxing, marks, light staining and gentle creasing consistent with careful use.
Pages 35-38 are detached but retained within the booklet.
There are no ownership inscriptions and no missing pages. The booklet appears complete as issued, beginning at page 4 and concluding on page 70, which forms the rear cover.
 
Physical Details
Binding: Original stapled paper wrappers
Pages: Complete, pages 4-70
Dimensions: Approximately 22.5 × 14.3 cm
Weight: Approximately 122 g
 
Rarity & Collector Notes
This booklet is Scarce.
Advertising publications of this nature were generally intended for practical use and comparatively few survive today. Complete illustrated examples documenting early canine care and the history of Spratt's Patent Limited appear only occasionally on the market.
Collectors value this booklet for its:
early twentieth-century canine photography 
association with Spratt's Patent Limited 
Royal Naval Air Service cover illustration 
social history of pet ownership 
advertising ephemera 
veterinary and breeding advice 
Condition issues, including the detached gathering, have been reflected in the price.