Edward McKnight Kauffer designed the letter head for this writing paper for Regent Advertising Service. In addition, this letter relates to him in that it refers to employment by Shell-Mex and B.P. Ltd. which was his client. Kauffer is widely recognised as a leading innovator in graphic design in 1930s Britain, and many consider him to have been the greatest poster designer of the first half of the 20th century. His client, Shell-Mex and B.P. Ltd., which was arguably the most progressive British company in terms of its marketing profile in this period, and helped the company project an image associated with Modernism, technical advances and modern life-styles.
Physical description
Type-written letter on headed writing paper of Regent Advertising Service Ltd.
Place of Origin
London, England (made)
Date
1931 (made)
1946 (typed)
Artist/maker
Kauffer, Edward McKnight, born 1890 - died 1954 (designer)
Materials and Techniques
Typing onpaper
Dimensions
Height: 25.1 cm, Width: 20.3 cm
Object history note
This design along with other designs for Shell Mex and B.P. Ltd. were until recently part of the Shell-BP Archive housed in Warwick University. Following a programme of digitisation, they were considered redundant and sold at auction. This coherent group of design was assembled by Hilary Gerrish and Neil Jennings from a variety of muscellaneous lots.
One highlight of this collection is the Shell or Mechanical Man, which featured in many Shell-BP advertisements, is one of the UK's most famost 'brand' characters. Other highlights include three finished brilliantly coloured gouache drawings for petrol pump designs, unused, one of which was illustrated in the seminal book on Kauffer by Mark Haworth-Booth (E. McKnight Kauffer: A Designer and His Public, 1979, p.74). A letter and design work relate to the important Shell Graphic Design Agency set up in 1932; there are also a number of workings-out, with alternative versions, for campaigns including the Aero-Shell and
Historical significance: Edward McKnight Kauffer was a leading exponent of the Modern style. He is widely recognised as a cutting-edge shaper of graphic design in 1930s Britain, and many consider him to have been the greatest poster designer of the first half of the 20th century.
Although V&A's existing holdings of Kauffer's work include designs and posters, they are almost exclusively finished presentation drawings. This design along with other designs for Shell Mex and B.P. Ltd. show much more vividly the working out of ideas and the thinking that underpins the design process itself and therefore allow V&A to demostrate effectively and completely the design practice of this important and influential designer.
Historical context note
Shell Mex and B.P. Ltd., which was formed in 1932, was arguably the most progressive British company in terms of its marketing profile in this period. Under the inspired patronage of its advertising manager Jack Beddington (1893-1959), who in 1929 first employed Edward McKnight Kauffer, a number of talented avant-garde artists were commissioned to help the company project an image associated with Modernism, technical advances and modern life-styles.
Descriptive line
Letter on writing paper designed by Edward McKnight Kauffer for Regent Advertsing Service Ltd 1931
Production Note
Edward McKnight Kauffer designed the letter head for this writing paper. In addition, this letter relates to him because it refers to former Regent Advertising Service employees being re-employed by Shell-Mex and B.P. Ltd. McKnight Kauffer designed for the latter companies.
Materials
Paper; Ink
Techniques
Typewriting
Subjects depicted
Crown; Shell-Mex; Regent Advertising Service Ltd; Savoy Place , London; British Petroleum Ltd
Categories
Manuscripts
Collection code
PDP
