2009/16

Southern Electric Railway Company,

Radical Landscapes, Collecting 20th Century Rural Cultures

Curwen Press, Althea Willoughby

This poster, dating from 1932, was made for the Southern Electric Railway Company, to advertise discount rates on the train for ramblers. It offered a return ticket at the cost of a single fare, and encouraged suburban dwellers to visit the countryside to 'pick your own bouquet', a message that would not now be considered appropriate. The poster was designed by artist Althea Willoughby, and printed by Curwen Press.

1 poster

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) – 'Poster, 1932, produced for the Southern Electric Railway Company: // "Pick your own bouquet. // 'Go-as-you-please' // Rambling // Return Tickets // at the single fare / /Ask for programme at any S. R. Station // Southern Electric." // Artist: Althea Willoughby (1904-1982) // Printed by Curwen Press. // ... Purchased as part of the Collecting 20thc Rural Culture project.', MERL OLIB database note – 'A poster dating from 1932 advertising discount rates on the train for ramblers at a time when walking in the countryside was a favourite leisure pursuit for suburban dwellers. For the railway company, it was a convenient way of promoting services at weekends when normal commuter traffic into and out of London would have been lower. The Southern Railway was engaged in a process of electrification that saw its south London suburban routes completed by 1929 and thereafter, during the 1930s, the lines down to Brighton and Portsmouth. The invitation to 'pick your own bouquet' of wild flowers would not now be considered appropriate.'

1932 - 1932

Southern Electric Railway (Corporate Body)
Willoughby, Althea (Artist)
Curwen Press (Printer)