Title - Go By Rail With A Cheap Monthly Return - That's The Ticket .
Artist - Reginald Mayes (1901-1992)?
Description - A fun impression of a businessman running hand in hand with a ticket that has legs, arms and an eye. Possibly the work of Reginald Mayes (it's just signed M, but he did quite a lot of posters in similar style during and after the war). Whether it was post-nationalisation British Railways, or the wartime version of the Big-4 going under that name, I have no idea, but it seems very much 1940s. The ticket says LM&SR on it, so relates to the LMS rather than BR, adding to the uncertainty.
Year Published - c1940s
Size - Double Royal (approx 40 x 25in or 101.5 x 63.5cm)
Other Details:
Original Vintage British Railway Wartime Poster.
Printed by Stafford's, Netherfield.
E.R.O. 53350
Condition Grade and Condition Report:
Grade: B+, un-conserved.
No folds, but creased and a bit discoloured, edge tears taped on rear. More detailed photos are available on request if required.
More About The Artist:
Reginald Mayes was born in Yarmouth, and his career began in the design studio of the Eastern Daily Press in Norwich. In the early 1930s he became chief staff artist at the London Midland and Scottish Railway public relations department, designing leaflets and posters. In the Second World War, Mayes produced many posters, including some discouraging railway travel with slogans such as The signal is against holiday travel this Easter. After the war he did freelance work before retiring to Kent where he relaxed painting landscapes.
