Bassett’s Liquorice Allsorts (c.1960s)

Year: Undated (likely c.1960s)

Format: Playing card

Illustrator: Uncredited

Client: Bassett’s

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Details: This playing card features Bertie Bassett, the iconic Liquorice Allsorts mascot. It is undated but appears to date from the c.1960s. The artwork is uncredited.

Bertie Bassett is generally believed to have been created in 1926. According to the traditional account, Bassett's commissioned the London advertising agency Greenly’s to devise a memorable trademark with broad public appeal. Inspired by the popularity of Bibendum (the Michelin Man), the agency proposed a mascot assembled from Liquorice Allsorts. It is thought that agency copywriter Frank Regan used liquorice allsorts and pipe cleaners to create the first prototype of what became Bertie Bassett.