Skegness Is So Bracing Poster – A4, A3, A2 & Super Sized Prints

The ‘Skegness Is So Bracing Poster’ has to be one of the most famous railway posters ever printed. Commissioned by the Great Northern Railway, artist John Hassall created the original Jolly Fisherman image as an oil painting in 1908.

Before the railway arrived in 1875, Skegness was primarily a fishing village and small port. Hassall’s poster featuring the now-famous Jolly Fisherman, coupled with the strapline “Skegness is SO bracing” promoted the first excursion to Scarborough from King’s Cross in London. It’s widely considered to have put Skegness well and truly on the map attracting significant numbers of tourists to the seaside town.

The image has been so successful it has been reused many times, and there are several versions of the Jolly Fisherman poster. This ‘landscape’ version was created in 1928 for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) company. In 1989 a Jolly Fisherman statue based on the figure featured on the famous poster was erected in Compass Gardens. The train station in Skegness also boasts a statue of the carefree fisherman.

The original oil painting now hangs in Skegness Town Hall. Recently the BBC featured the artwork on its programme ‘Britain’s Hidden Paintings’. Town councillor George Saxon said Mr Hassall did a huge amount for the resort: “John Hassall created that poster for the railway, but he changed the town forever – if only he knew.” The ‘Skegness Is So Bracing Poster’ is also available in its original portrait format here.

Our posters are carefully and professionally created from vintage originals. Whilst great care is taken in the production of these posters, we also try to maintain a vintage feel, so there may be small imperfections, fold marks, scuffs, tears or marks that were part of the original poster master. If these do appear they should be visible on the larger views of the item on this listing. The originals of many of the posters we offer can cost many thousands of pounds, so whilst these posters look great, especially framed and mounted on a wall, they are intended as a fun, affordable reproductions and not intended fine art prints.

The 50x70cm version has been specially produced to be used in conjunction with Ikea’s 50x70cm Ribba picture frame which currently retails for around £12. So you can bag a bargain of print and frame for a great price.