Great British
FWG26 2014 PRINTED IN THE UK
£7.99
Plus
The Early Years 1800s –1923
I
n a marketing age dominated by television adverts, the internet and social media, it’s easy to look back at the golden era of the railway poster with nostalgia. They had, and still have, an enduring, extraordinary ability to weave human stories. They whisk us away to luxury beach resorts, rolling countryside and iconic British landmarks. Older heads glance at them and are reminded of times gone by, while younger eyes can’t help but study with wonder these beautifully captured slices of history. Style, sophistication and the sharing of happy family moments sit next to imagery that evokes
a sense of freedom, of pride and of industry with unique and enduring artistic finesse. Tracing these images through the last hundred years reveals a tapestry of social, cultural and technological touchstones. In other words, more than just engines… Through the works of the artists we can map out the growth of the British leisure industries, and in turn, of the towns and cities it thrived within. We can observe the humble origins of technological advancements, electrification and modernisation. We can also appreciate the evolving imagery of the locomotive itself. But trace far back enough and one will discover
Great British Railway Posters Early Posters
‘Modern Advertising: A Railway Station’, 1874. This coloured lithograph is by Alfred Concanen. Early handbills, such as this one from 1825, were used to advertise the opening of new lines and services.
“Through the works of the artists we can map out the growth of the British leisure industries, and in turn of the towns and cities it thrived in.” that the origins of the railway poster were hardly as glamorous as they later became. The very first railway posters, emerging during the 1820s and 30s, came in the form of typeset notices or handbills and usually served to mark the opening of new passenger railways. These early notices were also used to provide information on services, such as fares and timetables. This early breed of poster was not used to persuade or to encourage potential punters to
travel, but to inform those already riding on the trains. This meant, in similar fashion to stagecoach notices of the time, that these early posters were flooded with text. They were difficult to read, and occasionally they were enlivened by a woodcut image of an engine. Images, by the way, that were usually out-dated. Change occurred very slowly during these early years. In 1841, Thomas Cook, the same individual whose travel company can be seen in the high street today, introduced his first excursion train through Midland Railway. Grand days out began to be offered, such as to the famed Great Exhibition, ten years later in 1851. At this time, railway companies began to attempt to reel in potential new customers. Cheaper excursion rate fares were introduced, to enable less well-off passengers on board.
7
18
Great British Railway Posters Early Posters
Great British Railway Posters Early Posters
‘Skegness is so Bracing’, LNER poster 1926
This poster was produced by London North & Eastern Railway to promote rail services to Skegness. It shows the ‘Jolly Fisherman’ skipping along the beach at Skegness, invigorated by the sea air. The artwork was by John Hassall, who has been called the first great railway poster artist. He was educated at Worthing School and Newton Abbot College and later studied in Antwerp and Paris. He moved to Canada but later returned to England where he started the New Art School and School of Poster design. He also designed posters for the Great Northern Railway and other clients.
‘The Yorkshire Coast’, NER poster 1923-1947
This North Eastern Railway poster of Alice in Holidayland, shows Alice on the beach with Tweedledum and Tweedledee. The artwork is by Frank Mason.
19
28
Great British Railway Posters GWR Posters
Great British Railway Posters GWR Posters
‘Aberystwyth’, GWR poster 1923-1947
Now primarily known as a university town, Aber, on the west coast of Wales, was a prime location for beach-hungry Brits. The Royal Pier was the first of its kind to open in Wales back in 1865. Artwork by A E Martin.
‘The Cornish Riviera’, GWR poster 1923-1942
This poster depicts a view of a harbour with visitors and palm trees in the foreground. Artwork by L Burleigh Bruhl.
29
LNER The London and North Eastern Railway Accounting for 6,590 miles, the London and North Eastern Railway was the second largest of the Big Four. It provided services from London to Edinburgh, with stops at York and Newcastle upon Tyne. In London itself the LNER was responsible for four main stations, Fenchurch Street, King’s Cross, Liverpool Street and Marylebone.
Great British Railway Posters LNER
1923-47
p74
1928
p73
1931
p77
1931
p77
1932
1930s
p81
1933
p81
1940
p86
1935
1946
p77
1931
p83
p88
p73
1923-47
1930
p74
1923-47
p78
1931
1932
p85
p88
p78
71
1931
1935
p85
1939
p89
p78
124
Great British Railway Posters Later Posters
‘Inter-City 125, the Journey Shrinker’, BR poster 1979
A poster produced by British Rail to advertise their express trains between York and London. Printed by Impress (Acton) Ltd.
Great British Railway Posters Later Posters
British Railway Poster. InterCityAPT c.1978
This poster enthuses about the speed of the InterCityAPT cross-country service. The artist is unknown.
‘Keep Your Station Tidy’, BR poster 1979
A promotional poster for British Rail featuring the Swedish pop group Abba.
125