In this age of instant digital colour photos we tend to forget that less than 70 years ago colour was missing from the vast majority of newspapers and photographs. Both were printed in black and white and there was little TV until the mid 50's and then no colour. The only means of producing colour images was by employing the skills of illustators/artists and reproducing their work by printing. To this end the vast majority of colour advertising was printed artwork. Such colourful work must have had a large impact on the population of those days.
Some of the finest examples of this artwork can be found in the iconic railway posters of the 30's, 40's and 50's. The cigarette and tobacco industry was on a par but because of the nature of the products used smaller illustration sizes. Along with the obvious tobacco advertising material, extolling the virtues of all forms of smoking, the artwork appeared on all types of associated products from cigarette cards to drinks trays.
Here are few examples of such work.
Let's start with the months of the calendar for 1957 ...illustrations by A.J.Wilson..famous for his LNER railway poster paintings.
Some of the finest examples of this artwork can be found in the iconic railway posters of the 30's, 40's and 50's. The cigarette and tobacco industry was on a par but because of the nature of the products used smaller illustration sizes. Along with the obvious tobacco advertising material, extolling the virtues of all forms of smoking, the artwork appeared on all types of associated products from cigarette cards to drinks trays.
Here are few examples of such work.
Let's start with the months of the calendar for 1957 ...illustrations by A.J.Wilson..famous for his LNER railway poster paintings.
What the first 3 months look like as a full page calendar. Just 10 x 8 inches (250 x 200 mm)
Not forgetting the vast number of miniature works of art produced by those responsible for all the cigarette cards that many of us collected...here are just a few....
Cars from series one and two of Player's cigarette cards. (1936 & 1937)
Famous film stars from Player's series 2 set of cigarette cards.
A free standing cardboard advert . two drinks trays and an Ogdens's tin plate showing more of the illustators art.
A large advert ...to hang on the wall in the parlour!! (measures some 3 x 2 feet)
and finally the March tip for you gardeners.
A small example of the skills of the unsung artists and illustrators of days past!
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