Title - For leisure and pleasure choose... Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset.
Location - Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, England.
Artist - John Stephen Smith (1921-2010).
Description - A busy sunny day on the beach at Burnham-on-Sea. We are situated just next to the Pier, looking out across the estuary of the Rivers Parrett and Severn. There are ships and yachts in the water, donkeys and families on the beach. The railway line between Highbridge and Burnham was downgraded for excursion trains only in 1951 and finally closed in 1962.
Year Published - 1950s
Size - Double Royal (approx 40 x 25in or 101.5 x 63.5cm)
Other Details:
Original Vintage British Railway Travel Poster.
Published by British Railways (Western Region) P.R. 146
Printed in Great Britain by Jordison & Co Ltd, London and Middlesbrough.
Condition Grade and Condition Report:
Grade: B+, un-conserved.
No folds, edge tears mainly at top and small paper-losses at bottom left corner repaired with acid-free tape on rear, some age-browning, watercolour pencil touch-ups to surface damage to the couple in the foreground. More detailed photos are available on request if required.
More About The Artist:
John Stephen Smith signed his work as John S Smith. We know little about him, but we know he was quite a prolific painter, largely of naval subjects. He rarely exhibited but had a successful career taking commissions from shipowners, publishers and American collectors. His knowledge of ship construction and the ability to work from ship plans brought him much commercial work. He also produced a lot of work for British Railways publicity, including posters.