Kingston by Tram poster Charles Paine 1920 – UERL Poster – London Transport poster
In 1920, the Manchester-born artist Charles Paine was commissioned by Frank Pick to create an advertising poster for the Underground Electric Railways Company Ltd. It was a significant opportunity for Paine, as it was his first important commission. This wonderful Kingston by Tram poster was Paine’s response and it led to a fruitful decade-long relationship working with Pick not only for UERL but also for other London Transport organisations including London Underground, London Tramways and General Buses.
For the Kingston on Thames poster, Paine started the basis of his design with a historical reference. History and nature were two motifs the artist would return to many times over the following years. For his first commission, the artist chose to illustrate four of Kingston upon Thames beautiful white swans weaving and meandering their way down the green waters of the River Thames. The trail the swans leave in the water is reminiscent of the tracks in the road surface the trams would run along.
Kingston and its swans
The town of Kingston upon Thames is known for many things – its incredible architecture, its history, and its picturesque streets. To those that don’t live in or near the town, one of its less-known attractions is its population of swans, which have made Kingston their home on the river for centuries. An annual event known as the swan upping ceremony has been held in the town since the 12th century and is still celebrated today.
The ceremony has its roots in medieval times when the swans on the Thames were considered a valuable commodity. The birds were highly prized for their meat, feathers, and down, and were often hunted by the wealthy. In order to protect the swans and regulate their population, the Crown claimed ownership of all unmarked swans on the Thames. The Swan Upping ceremony was established as a way to identify and mark the swans that belonged to the Crown.
Today, the Swan Upping ceremony serves a different purpose. The swans on the Thames are no longer hunted and are instead protected by law. The ceremony is now a way to monitor the swan population and ensure their well-being. During the ceremony, the swans are caught, weighed, measured, and checked for any signs of injury or illness. The swans are then marked with a unique identification number, which allows them to be tracked and monitored throughout their lives.
For the people of Kingston upon Thames, the Swan Upping ceremony is an important tradition that connects them to their town’s rich history and heritage. The ceremony is a way to celebrate the swans that have made their home on the river and to ensure their continued protection and well-being.
Back in 1920, Kingston upon Thames was a popular destination with visitors from the city of London making the journey to enjoy the areas extensive 2,500 acres of parkland, its stunning scenic walks by the river, and boat rides through one of the most beautiful sections of the River Thames. The tram system provided easy access to Kingston upon Thames from Hampton Court, Surbiton, Teddington, Twickenham, Richmond, Wimbledon and Maldon.
Although not as brightly coloured as many of his London Transport posters this Kingston by Tram poster with its white swans on a black background is still a bold, eye-catching image that would cause anybody with an inquisitive mind to stop in their tracks for a second to try to figure out what it meant. What more can you ask of a poster?
Kingston upon Thames
The ancient city of Kingston has, for more than 1000 years, held significant historical importance as the birthplace of England. The town dates back to 835AD when the Saxon King Egbert convened his Great Council in the renowned place known as Cyningestun. Over the centuries the town has had several other names. In 1086, it was known as Chingestune and by 1164 it became a more recognisable Kingeston. In 1321 and under the reign of Edward II the town picked up its first reference to the river it lies on, being known as Kyngeston super Tamisiam. In 1589, with King James I ruling the country, the name became Kingestowne upon Thames. The name means ‘the king’s manor or estate’ from the Old English words cyning and tun. It belonged to the king in Saxon times and was the earliest royal borough.
Throughout the course of its history, Kingston was the site of the coronation of eight Saxon kings. Among them, King Athelstan is probably the best known. Athelstan was crowned in Kingston in 925 AD, and is widely considered to be the first true King of England. Through his strategic military conquests against the Scots and Vikings, Athelstan successfully united the regional kingdoms into one single nation.
Kingston on Thames or Kingston as it is now more popularly known is located on the River Thames about 10 miles southwest of Charing Cross.
Kingston by Tram
Kingston upon Thames was a bustling town in the early 20th century, with a thriving economy and a growing population. As the town expanded, its transportation needs also grew, and in 1906, a tram system was introduced to improve connectivity and mobility in the area.
By 1921, the tram system in Kingston upon Thames had evolved significantly, with a fleet of modern and efficient trams serving the town and its suburbs. These trams were powered by electricity and operated on tracks that ran through the streets, making them a popular mode of transportation for both locals and visitors.
In 1921, the Kingston tram system had a number of routes that connected Kingston upon Thames to various destinations in the surrounding areas. Some of the key destinations that the trams travelled to include: Hampton Court, Surbiton, Teddington, Twickenham, Richmond, Wimbledon, Malden and New Malden. These routes were designed to serve the local community and provide connections to nearby towns and suburbs. The tram system was an important mode of transportation during this time period and played a vital role in the growth and development of the area.
Charles Paine Poster artist
Charles Paine’s career accomplishments are extensive. His work encompasses stained glass, book illustration, watercolour and acrylic painting. It includes interior design, commercial advertising, teaching, as well as textile and wallpaper design. Today he is probably best known for his many poster designs for companies, including London Underground, Empire Marketing Board, and the GPO, and his work for Penguin Books, and Sundour Fabrics.
The Pendleton-born artist was clearly a gifted talent in the art and crafts tradition. Starting out at the Salford School of Art in Manchester, Paine was apprenticed to the craft of making stained glass. Paine honed his craft at the Royal College of Art before leaving London to work for the Applied Art Department of Edinburgh College of Art under John Platt, who had a significant influence on Paine’s work. It’s believed that Platt introduced him to Frank Pick, who commissioned Paine to design many posters for the London Underground.
Paine’s style was innovative, departing from the standard advertising of the time, which often featured literal representations of the subject. Instead, he used simplified forms and large blocks of colour, making his posters interesting, eye-catching and effective. His limited use of colour also made the posters economical to reproduce, and by the mid-1920s, other poster artists widely copied his approach.
Kingston By Tram Swans
Paine’s Uxbridge (fishes),
For the Zoo (penguins),
Richmond Park
1923 Boat Race poster
Hampton Court
Moseley Regatta
Barnet by Tram poster
Paine’s art became an integral part of London Underground’s heritage.
Paine’s Uxbridge (fishes), For the Zoo, and Richmond Park posters were among the 150 best posters exhibited by London Underground in 2013 during the 150th-anniversary celebration.
Paine’s humour and whimsy were evident in his work, as seen in his Hampton Court by Tram poster. He depicted King Henry as a gardener with a rake and watering can and Anne Boleyn with one head instead of two. The topiary birds were also otherworldly, adding to the poster’s charm. Paine’s stained glass training shaped his design sensibility, using solid, brightly contrasting, and sometimes unnatural colors.
Paine’s work left an indelible mark on poster art, becoming a showcase for all the avant-garde European art movements of the early 20th century. His legacy continues to inspire and influence designers today.
