Rupert Magnus Trading has a long and varied history.

Rupert Magnus himself was a showman and an innovator. He was well known in the trade for his fantastic sense of humour, which shined through in his legendary adverts. You can view some of Rupert's most memorable ads on our MySpace page where you can view them by clicking on View My: Pics.

There are too many stories to tell from the last 60+ years and many gaps on this time line but bear with us, it is a work in progress....

1948 - Rupert Magnus buys a job lot of greeting cards for 10 shillings at an auction.

1963 - Tom Magee, the current owner of Rupert Magnus, starts working with Rupert at the age of 14.

1974 - Rupert Magnus opens up his flagship cash & carry in Dukes Road, Acton.

1974 - Rupert concieves the idea of a Teachers Day, based on the theory that the biggest influence on a childs life other than their parents and grandparents is their teacher. The suggested date is the first Friday in July. Although Teachers Day never really took off, Rupert will have enjoyed the non-PC photo shoots he took part in to promote it!

1978 - Rupert Magnus expands into producing soft toys, three characters named Mrs Moo, Buttercup and Billy Bull.

1981 - The Acton Cash & Carry is refurbished. Edward Magnus explained that no shelves were too high or too low for elderly customers and the alterations would cut the average customer buying time by 30%.

1982 - Rupert, as always looking to introduce new customers to the greeting card industry, decides to exhibit at the London Independent Grocers Exhibition in Westminster. 

1983 - Rupert Magnus open a new branch in Norbury SW16. An old-style delivery van delivers stock daily from the Acton branch. The new building was officially opened by Simon Elvin and Rupert claimed as well as mainstream cards it would stock cards specifically for the Jewish, Irish and Asian communities.

1983 - A black and white caricature of Rupert Magnus appears in the May issue of Private Eye magazine above the caption 'Out Goes Fred Smellie', in reference to a fictional polititian who had died. The image appeared again in the June issue alongside a letter from Lionel Curry stating that the image is in fact of Rupert Magnus who is very much alive, despite recent heart surgery, and from the artist Derrick Davis requesting a fee for use of the image and offering various other portraits to the magazine!

1986 - Rupert Magnus move to a new showroom in Dukes Road, the old building would be used as a warehouse for a number of years.

1987 - Rupert Magnus officially retires. 

1989 - Edward Magnus launches Magnus Imprints. The company supplied personalised christmas cards to businesses. The cards could be bought flat and  ready for printing or folded with a personalised verse. The business was later sold to Simon Elvin and continues under the name Christmas Imprints.

1990 - Simon Elvin produces a video called The World Of Simon Elvin. Part of it is filmed at Magnus House and Edward Magnus and Leslie Bruck are interviewed.

1996 - Edward Magnus launches Magnus Direct. A mailshot is launched across England, Scotland and Wales offering cards and giftwrap by mail order. Customised brochures were printed and sent to customers on a regular basis and orders could be placed using a freephone and freefax number. 13 years on we have customers as far north as the Scottish Highlands and as far south as Torquay!

1996 - Bruck Brothers, a rep based card wholesaler from North London, move base to Acton and start operating from Rupert Magnus premises. They supply cards to Scotland, Yorkshire, East Anglia and The Channel Islands.

1998 - Rupert hosts a reception at the Cash & Carry in Acton to celebrate the companies 50th Anniversary. Simon Elvin is a guest speaker while Rupert entertained with stories of the last 50 years.

2001 - Edward Magnus retires and Tom & Linda Magee take over the company they have both worked for for many years.

2008 - Rupert Magnus Trading Ltd win the prestigious RETAS award for "Best Greeting Card Cash & Carry In The UK & Ireland".

2009 Rupert Magnus Trading Ltd team up with www.Voucherline.com to launch a website selling most of the products we carry instore, online! For more details and to view our ONLINE TRADING terms & conditions please visit www.giftwrapcity.com