J. Arthur Dixon

John Arthur Dixon (18 June 1897 - 19 May 1958) was the British founder of the eponymous manufacturer of greetings cards and postcards.

Dixon was born at Cross Hills, Keighley, Yorkshire, the eldest son of Charles C. Dixon.[1]

In 1926, he moved to Shanklin on the Isle of Wight, where he bought a small printing business. Dixon was a keen photographer, and in 1937 he produced his first Christmas cards. From 1947, he was producing postcards, initially under contract for W. J. Nigh & Sons Ltd, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, and soon after on his own account.[1]

In 1951, production began at an 87,000 sq ft factory was built at Newport, Isle of Wight, leased from the Ministry of Aviation. The factory was a former aircraft hangar at Parkhurst Forest.[2]

In 1951, more than 14 million greetings cards were produced and in 1955, nearly 30 million postcards. In 1958, the company began producing guidebooks.[1]

Dixon died on 19 May 1958 at the Royal Isle of Wight County Hospital, Ryde.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "J Arthur Dixon". Wootton Bridge Historical. Wootton Bridge Historical. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  2. ↑ "J. Arthur Dixon works, Newport". Domesday Reloaded. BBC. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
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