Book: Modern British Posters

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An illustration of a hilly landscape with a big rock structure in the middle of it.
’Brimham Rock’, Graham Sutherland, 1937, 30 x 45", Shell Mex & BP. (p63)
(Image credit: TBC)

It's impossible not to leaf through Modern British Posters without experiencing a wistful longing for times past. For despite the vicissitudes of the eras represented, one thing was remarkably constant; the sheer brilliance of public art and design.

Paul Rennie is an expert and dealer in the objects, artwork and ephemera of this golden age of British design. His new monograph brings together the many and various aspects of the British poster, the application of pure graphic art or delightful illustration to such ends as public information, education and entertainment.

The big players in this happy collision of aesthetic ambition and raw talent are well known; London Transport, Shell, the Post Office, and the government itself, all working alongside artists like Paul Nash, Graham Sutherland, Manfreid Reiss, and many, many more. The resulting outpouring of graphic art shaped a generation's visual sensibilities, as well as an ongoing lament for its apparent passing.

We love a poster as much as the next publication, and the internet has seen a resurgence of interest in both these originals and the art of publicity art. But until an enlightened official body picks up the baton and ushers in a new era of public graphic art, Rennie's excellent retrospective will have to suffice.

An illustration of a farm landscape with a river running through it.

’Rye Marshes’, Paul Nash, 1932, 30 x 45", Shell Mex & BP. (p63)

(Image credit: TBC)

An illustration of an open book with a globe resting on the left hand page.

’Explorers Prefer Shell’, Edward McKnight Kauffer, 1934, 30 x 45", Shell Mex & BP. (p81)

(Image credit: TBC)

An illustration of a ball going into a football net

’Footballers Prefer Shell’, Paul Nash, 1932, 30 x 45", Shell Mex & BP. (p88)

(Image credit: TBC)

An illustration of a man laying down on his front with a hammer next to him.

’Prevent Falls’, Tom Eckersley, 1940s, DC (30 x 20"), The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. (p105)

(Image credit: TBC)

An illustration of a man wearing an eye patch

’Wear Goggles’, Tom Eckersley, 1940s, DC (30 x 20"), The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. (p105)

(Image credit: TBC)

An illustration of a broken ladder with a man in crutches drawn in the middle of it.

’Examine Ladders’, Tom Eckersley, 1940s, DC (30 x 20"), The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. (p105)

(Image credit: TBC)

An illustration of loose tools on a platform with a man standing below it.

’Stow Tools Safely’, Tom Eckersley, 1940s, DC (30 x 20"), The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. (p105)

(Image credit: TBC)
Jonathan Bell

Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.