Wren’s dubbin

On the label
Wren’s Dubbin
Warranted waterproof
Keep the tin closed – Regd trade mark No335413
First Award, Leather Trades exhibition 1892
William Wren & Co Northampton
Directions for use: Remove all dirt and rub Dubbin well in
Manufactory, 31, Grey Friars St, Northampton
Prepared for fishing, golfing, shooting, field, army boots and all leathers.
This tin might date to prior 1918 as there is no mention of the Limited company status, but in any case certainly prior to 1938. This large 90 x 27mm tin is printed in black on a green ground. The slick black contents are still perfectly usable.
Wren's dubbin
Photo: David Pratt
On the label
Wren’s Dubbin Brown warranted waterproof
First Award, Leather Trades exhibition 1892
Wm Wren & Co (Watford) Ltd, Watford, Eng
Directions: Remove dirt and rub Dubbin well into the leather
For fishing, golfing, shooting, field, army boots and all leathers.
Made in England by Wm Wren & Co (Watford) Ltd, Watford
Dating between 1938 and 1942. This 75mm tin is printed in orange and black on a green ground.
Wren's brown dubbin
Photo: David Pratt
On the label
Wren’s Dubbin Black warranted waterproof
First Award, Leather Trades exhibition 1892
Wm Wren & Co (Watford) Ltd, Watford, Eng
Directions: Remove dirt and rub Dubbin well into the leather
For fishing, golfing, shooting, field, army boots and all leathers.
Made in England by Wm Wren & Co (Watford) Ltd, Watford
Dating between 1938 and 1942. This large 90mm tin is printed in black on a green ground.
Wren's black dubbin
Wren's black dubbin
Photo: David Pratt
On the label
By appointment to H.M. King George VI
Wren’s waterproof dubbin Brown
For fishing, golfing, shooting, field & army boots
Mfs., Wm Wren Ltd, Watford, England
Wren’s Dubbin Brown
This 85mm diameter tin is printed in black on a red ground. Contents are a clear dark golden grease. This dates between 1938 and 1951 and is typical of the WW2 packaging.
Wren's brown dubbin
Wren's brown dubbin
Photo: David Pratt
On the label
By appointment to H.M. King George VI
Wren’s waterproof dubbin Black
For fishing, golfing, shooting, field & army boots
Mfs., Wm Wren Ltd, Watford, England
Wren’s Dubbin Black
This 7cm tin dating between 1938 and 1951 is printed in black on a dark green ground and is typical of the WW2 packaging.
Wren's black dubbin
Photo: David Pratt
On the label
Wren’s Waterproofing Oil
Liquid Dubbin
by appointment to H.M. King George VI
Thoroughly waterproofs and preserves leather
The perfect waterproof preservative for walking, golfing, shooting, fishing & football boots & shoes also harness, saddlery, leather belting etc.
General Directions: First be sure that the article is thoroughly clean and dry. Then apply the oil with the brush attached to the cap, spreading it evenly over the surface of the leather. Work well in. If the article is hard apply a second coat after allowing the first to dry thoroughly. Two light applications are better than one thick coating.
Made in England by Wm Wren & Co. (Watford) Ltd., Watford.
The 10cm high can has a paper label affixed, printed in orange and green and dates between 1938 and 1952.
Wren's liquid dubbin
Photo: David Pratt
On the label
Wren’s waterproofing Brown Dubbin
Waterproofs and preserves leather
Made in England

and around the edge:
Wren’s Dubbin Brown for fishing, golfing, shooting, field & army boots. Mfs. Wm Wren Ltd Watford, England

Contents of tin are a dark golden clear grease.
Wren's brown dubbin
Photo: David Pratt
On the label
Wren’s Waterproofing Leather Oil (Liquid Dubbin)
The perfect preservative
Regular treatment will ensure perfect preservation
8 fl oz 227ml
For leather boots, saddlery, harness etc.
Directions – Thoroughly clean and dry the article. Apply oil evenly with a brush. The oil will sink deep into the leather making it supple and waterproof. Apply liberally to the welts and soles of boots. If the leather is eceptionally hard, repeat the treatment. Do not apply to uppers if a bright polish is desired.
Wren’s Leather Oil
Made in britain
Reckitt Household Products, Hull
Export Distributors: Reckitt & Coman (Overseas) Ltd.
Wren's leather oil
Photo: David Pratt
On the label
Wren’s waterproofing Brown (Neutral) Dubbin
Waterproofs and preserves leather
Made in England Regd. Trade Mark
and around the edge:
Wren’s Dubbin Brown for football, golfing, shooting, field & army boots. 3.2 fl.oz (91 ml.)
Made in Britain Reckitt & Colman London W4
Export distributors: Reckitt & Colman (Overseas) Ltd
Wren's dubbin
Photo: David Pratt
This is now in the shoe polish style tin with a grooved edge lid and butterfly twist off lid and under the parent company of Reckitt & Colman.
On the label
Meltonian Wren’s Dubbin
Neutral
Waterproofs and preserves leather
and around the edge:
Wren’s Dubbin Neutral Grasso-lederfett
Meltonian & Wren’s are trade marks
and on reverse:
Dubbin – waterproofs and preserves leather.
use on Football, Walking, Riding Boots, Golf Shoes and any other sports or work footwear that has to stand up to active outdoor wear.
Directions: remove surface dirt. Apply polish evenly with a brush or cloth, working well into the leather. Buff briskly with a soft brush or duster.
Keep out of reach of children.
100ml
Manufactured by/fabrique par
SARA LEE | H & PC
Slough SL1 4AU England 0753 523 971
Made in England
Wren's dubbin
Photo: David Pratt
Now under the ownership of Sara Lee they throw two well know trade names onto the product, both Meltonian and Wren’s. This particular tin has come from armed services stores and rather handily gives the date of manufacture of June 1998. Curious that and expiry date of just three years later is given – rather wasteful as in the author’s experience dubbin has a service life of 100 years or more!
Meltonian Wren's dubbin
And a final version before disappearing off the shelves bearing a rather muddled branding – a spurious new Meltonian logo containing the monocled man from the original Meltonian branding as well as the Wren’s trade name.