Thomas Black founded a sail making and chandlery business in Greenock, Scotland, in 1863. His son, also Thomas, took over the business around 1900 and diversified into tent manufacturing which reaped rich rewards during the First World War when the company made tents for the War Department. As sailing ships and their sails became things of the past, Blacks continued to expand into the ever growing outdoor leisure market with their iconic, Black’s Good Companion Catalogue first appearing in 1932. Their range of tents and sleeping bags were to become equally iconic. Just about every outdoor person had a Black’s Good Companion’s Pal- o- Mine or Icelandic sleeping bag in the 1950/60’s. Less well known perhaps was the ‘Polar’, an example of which we have here in the collection. Dating from the 1950/60’s it was probably aimed at the expedition market with a little more down than its ‘Pals’ We found this one in a bag in the cupboard and have no idea how it got there but thanks to the previous occupant.