FEW paper bags from the Victorian era have survived in pristine condition. Nor can many modern bags match the evocative artistry of an Edwardian example lovingly preserved by Southampton historian A G K Leonard.

Measuring about 5in by 10in - intended for cakes or pastries rather than loaves - this was produced about 1910 for bakers and pastry-cooks Warner & Dyte, owners of Bevois Mount Steam Bakery in Southampton.

It is finely printed with a detailed engraving showing the works (with smoking chimney!) and adjoining shop and house on the west side of Cambridge Road, at its corner with Padwell Road.

In front of these premises are depicted a horse-drawn van and cart and two hand-barrows, exemplifying the advertisement for wholemeal bread and "all kinds of cakes & pastry delivered to all parts daily".

Warner & Dyte were first listed in the 1884 town directory, as one of the first five properties in Cambridge Road, before street numbering was introduced.

From 1887, as building progressed, the "machine bakery" was designated "No 1 Cambridge Road".

The substantial corner house was named in the engraving as "Alma House" but it was not in residential use at the time of the 1901 census, when presumably the accommodation had been taken over for business purposes.

Warner & Dyte evidently did not "live over the shop".

Their enterprise was assisted by "Telephone No. 1431", at a time when this service was not yet in general use. Southampton's public system was inaugurated in 1886 but its growth was slow, not reaching 1,000 until 1905 and rising to 1,620 by January 1912, when the private company was taken over by the Post Office.

No. 1431 was evidently allocated to Warner & Dyte about 1910, as shown in their advertisement. The 1912 directory also listed a public Telephone Call Office at No 1 Cambridge Road - presumably as a customer-friendly facility offered by the bakery.

The outbreak of war may haveput an end to its business, for it was no longer listed in the 1914-15 directory. The bakery seems to have remained vacant until 1923-4, when it was reopened by MH James & Son.

It has long since disappeared from the scene in Cambridge Road, replaced by modern houses, while the substantial corner property has a new lease of life as offices for partnerships of accountants and architects.