After Charles Pears, The Playgoer Travels Underground

Charles Pears (1873-1958) was a Yorkshire-born marine painter and illustrator. He was an official war artist in both world wars and the first elected President of what is now the Royal Society of Marine Artists. Between 1913 and 1936 he also drew posters for the London Underground.

In 1930 he drew a series on the theme ‘… travels Underground’, for the student, the musician, the film-lover and the playgoer. Here a couple in evening dress rise from a supper table, the woman drawing a pale fur wrap about her shoulders. A waiter stands by with a napkin over his arm. The lettering reminds them that last trains leave central stations from midnight to 12.30 a.m.

A later offset reproduction, issued under the copyright of London Regional Transport, which existed from 1984. It keeps the original credit ‘Drawn on five stones by Chas Pears, R.O.I.’ and the imprint of the printers Johnson, Riddle & Co. It is smaller than the original poster. Framed in blue-grey with a gilt slip. There is a crease in the paper beside the title, and one corner of the frame has opened at the mitre.