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St Ives British Railways poster - Vintage Cornwall Travel Poster - John Power – 1956

St Ives British Railways poster – Vintage Cornwall Travel Poster – John Power 1956

£4.50 – £16.00

St Ives British Railways poster – Vintage Cornwall Travel Poster John Power – 1956

This wonderful St Ives British Railways poster is a reproduction print of a reissued design produced for British Railways in the late 1950s. The poster was originally created by the British artist John Power for British Railways Western Region. This later version was rebranded to not only include British Railways now Gill Sans corporate font but also to include the recently introduced BR ‘hot dog sausage’ totem.

The St Ives travel poster dispenses with much of the text of the original. Instead, it opts for a simpler, more direct approach boldly proclaiming the destination’s charms with a promise of “Glorious Sands” and “Ideal Bathing.” This concise yet vivid message sets the stage for the poster’s primary focus – a captivating depiction of an traditional scene.

At the heart of this stunning portrayal is a charming view down a steep hill that gracefully descends towards the harbor. Here, two weathered fishermen casually lean against a stone wall, sharing a smoke and engaging in friendly conversation. It’s a scene that exudes tranquility and a sense of camaraderie, evoking the timeless charm of a Cornish coastal fishing village.

As the viewer’s gaze explores further, they come across two curious children who have momentarily abandoned their play to observe a local cat. Their youthful curiosity adds a touch of innocence and community to the composition, reinforcing the authentic spirit of St Ives.

The gently sloping hill naturally guides the eye down towards the bustling harbor. There, a colourful collection of fishing boats bobbing on the glistening waters, a testament to the town’s enduring maritime and fishing heritage. Beyond the harbor, rolling hills extend into the distance, their contours creating a harmonious contrast against the blue sky. This breathtaking backdrop encourages contemplation and serves as a reminder of the natural beauty that defines St Ives. It’s a delightful scene.

Cornwall was a railway destination that featured heavily in the advertising for the Great Western Railways, Southern Railway and British Railways. Many famous and less-well-known artists have created posters to entice tourists to make the journey there by train. Artists such as Gyrth Russell, Jack Merriott, Arthur Wilcox, Alker Tripp, and Leonard Cusden to name but a few.

These posters depicted Cornwall’s attractions in compelling ways, showcasing its scenic landscapes, charming coastal views, and inviting seaside scenes. Each artist brought their own unique style to the task, making each poster a piece of art in its own right. Collectively, these artists created visually engaging posters that not only promoted train travel to Cornwall but also ignited a strong desire to experience Cornwall’s magic firsthand. Their artwork celebrated Cornwall’s beauty and culture while also highlighting the enduring link between railways and the irresistible charm of this beloved region.

Other Cornwall railway posters

Cornwall, with its stunning coastline, picturesque fishing villages, and lush countryside, has long been a beloved destination for travelers seeking natural beauty and tranquility. Vintage railway posters, created during the golden age of travel, provide a nostalgic glimpse into Cornwall’s allure and the role of the railways in promoting this captivating region.

The early 20th century was the golden age of travel when railways were at the forefront of transportation. To entice travelers to explore the scenic delights of Cornwall, railway companies commissioned talented artists to create eye-catching posters that would promote the region’s unique charm.

Many vintage railway posters celebrated Cornwall’s breathtaking coastline. These posters featured dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and turquoise waters, inviting travelers to experience the thrill of the Cornish sea. Artists skillfully captured the essence of Cornwall’s maritime heritage, iconic landmarks and outstanding scenery.

Cornwall’s quaint villages and historic towns also made frequent appearances in vintage railway posters. Picturesque locales like St. Ives, Polperro, and Padstow were depicted with colorful details, showcasing their charming streets, thatched cottages, and bustling harbors. These posters not only highlighted Cornwall’s beauty but also encouraged travelers to explore its hidden gems.

The railway journey itself was often romanticized in these posters. Picturesque trains winding through lush landscapes, crossing viaducts, and traveling alongside serene rivers were portrayed as part of the adventure. Travelers were encouraged to explore Cornwall not just as a destination but as a scenic journey.

Today, vintage railway posters promoting Cornwall serve as a valuable window into the past. These posters are not only nostalgic but also collectible, with enthusiasts around the world seeking them as treasures of a bygone era. They remind us of a time when travel was an art form, and destinations like Cornwall were unveiled through the talents of artists. Here are a few stunning examples.

Travelling to Cornwall in the 1920s was a glamorous and luxurious experience. The Cornish Riviera Express was considered one of the most prestigious rail journeys in England. Our first GWR poster depicts that journey. It was created by Charles Mayo in 1939 and offers a superb rendering of the King George VI locomotive hauling holiday carriages bound for the West Country. The train was renowned for its elegance, featuring luxurious carriages with polished wood interiors, plush seating, and large windows that allowed passengers to enjoy the scenic views.

A splendid Cornwall railway poster from 1937, crafted by Leonard Cusden, captures the serene beauty of Newquay, one of the nation’s beloved seaside destinations. The picturesque artwork features two children joyfully exploring a rock pool beneath towering cliffs. The poster also provides insight into the affordability of the London-to-Cornwall journey, hinting at the cost of monthly return tickets, which were available at an incredibly economical rate of a ‘Penny a Mile.’

Presumably, by the time Alker Tripp’s Cornwall poster featuring Kynance Cove was published just a year later, the prices had risen because the Penny a Mile statement had gone. Kynance Cove with its white sand beach and the dark red and green serpentine rock produces a breathtaking sight. Its turquoise waters, dramatic cliffs, and rock formations have long attracted photographers and artists. In fact, it is widely considered the most photographed and painted location in Cornwall.

Cornwall was a railway destination that featured heavily in both Great Western Railways and British Railway’s poster output and many famous and less well-known artists have created posters to get tourists to make the journey there by train. Posters include the 1953 British Railways poster by Gyrth Russell, that depicts the harbour at Polperro. The 1940s poster by  Jack Merriot, that portrays the scene at Penzance Harbour. A personal favorite is the 1960 poster by Arthur Wilcox, that offers a beautiful beach scene at Cornwall’s Sennon Cove.

We currently list around thirty Cornwall reproduction posters on our website and we are adding new ones all the time. There’s bound to be one that captures the essence of Cornwall for you

 

 

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Description

St Ives British Railways poster – Vintage Cornwall Travel Poster – John Power 1956

Our Vintage travel posters are our passion. We take the time to digitally enhance most of our poster prints. This ensures they look great on the walls of your home or office. We print them on high-quality, 300gsm silk art paper using fade-resistant inks. All of our vintage posters and wall art are offered in a variety of sizes. Our most common sizes include A1, A2, 50×70, A3, and A4. Some of the posters we offer will not fit into these standard frame sizes. In these cases, we offer size variations in the ratio of the original format. So, whatever space you have available, we’re sure there will be a size to suit your needs.
We know you love your posters. It’s why we aim to get them to you quickly and safely.  We send them out in hard-backed envelopes, clearly marked ‘Do Not Bend’ or in a sturdy postal tube. We also want you to be able to enjoy your poster prints as soon as possible. To deliver them to you as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible, we send them out by Royal Mail 2nd class post (unless, of course, you’ve paid for another postal service).

Picture Frames are not included… yet!

Some of the images on our website feature our fabulous posters displayed in picture frames. And yes, we know they look great mounted in frames and displayed on walls, but at the current time, the prices shown are for poster print only.
We have created many of our posters in a 50x70cm size option. Frames of this size are now easily available in most stores for under £20. Ikea currently sells one in the Fiskbo range for under £10.

Fun, affordable poster reproductions

Our posters are carefully and professionally created from vintage originals. We take great care with the production of our poster prints. We also feel it is important that they maintain a vintage feel. This is why we leave some small imperfections or marks that were part of the original poster to enhance the vintage feel. These will 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. Our reproduction posters certainly look great! They look even better when they’re framed and mounted on a wall. It’s important to remember that we offer our prints as fun, affordable reproductions, not as fine art prints.

Additional information

Size

A4, A3, A2, 50x70cm

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