Last week, a neighbour loaned me a 1936 copy of Kelly’s Directory for Chesham and Amersham. Chesham being my hometown, I was fascinated to see what businesses were around some twelve years before I was to show up.
There was an advert for Norman and Son Signs. Later I was to work with Eric Norman (the son) as his career was winding down. His work was held in the utmost awe by all the other local writers. I know he would have cringed at some of the basic layout blunders committed in this advert, many due to the limitations of letterpress, no doubt.
I don’t recognise the work on the A.W.Pope vehicle at all, though it was probably done locally. It has a lot of the naivety that lent canal and wagonworks lettering its charm.
With a final southward push, The Great Central Railway joined the Metropolitan Railway and the last mainline into London was complete. Sadly, it was far to late to be part of the Great Age of the Railways and would never really flourish. However, a serious attempt to increase passenger traffic did succeed to a degree. The plan was to fill the countryside surrounding the G.C.R. with good quality, inexpensive housing. As the plan came to fruition, suburbia eventually stretched its tentacles all the way from the outskirts of London to rural heart of Buckinghamshire, generating zillions of homes for fare-paying commuters; this was “Metro-land”. Metro-land was marketed with films and posters; the advertising featured idealised families, in idealised houses, living the good life. Stepford Wives abounded! A particular style of artwork was developed for the posters, drawing heavily on the art deco style of the period; an example can be seen on this wonderful old removals lorry.
Posted by Bob Stephens (Member # 858) on :
Neato!
Posted by Danny Busselle (Member # 3746) on :
Really Hip Slik and Cool... Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
Groooooooovy, Arthur!
Posted by Dan Streicher (Member # 4515) on :
I'd love to add a old truck like that just park it in the shop in front of a huge window for advertising thanks for sharing
Posted by Wayne Osborne (Member # 4569) on :
Funny how the display ad (although type-set) is still 100% better than most printed ads you see today! Great stuff Thanks for sharing those.
Posted by Brian Scargill (Member # 2258) on :
Hi Arthur, Great stuff,I see the phone number on the advert only has 3 digits, now we all have 6....how times have changed ! ! I like the art deco lettering on the removal van, not a digital print in sight, thanks for sharing, Brian.
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