Portion (left-hand) of a poster issued adverting 'Harper's Magazine' (see E.33-1951); Showing a graphic image of a yeoman of the guard; Colour lithograph on paper; Design by Beggarstaff Brothers; Great Britain; 1895.

Portion (left-hand) of a poster issued adverting 'Harper's Magazine' (see E.33-1951); Showing a graphic image of a yeoman of the guard, viewed from behind; Colour lithograph on paper.

Given by Mrs J.T. Clarke

Designed by The Beggarstaffs, a partnership between James Ferrier Pryde (born in Edinburgh, 1866, died in London, 1941) and Sir William Newzam Prior Nicholson (born in Newark-upon-Trent, Nottinghamshire, 1872, died in Blewbury, Berkshire, 1949)
Issued by Harper's Magazine, New York.

The Beggarstaffs (ie. James Ferrier Pryde & Sir William Newzam Nicholson) created their Yeoman of the Guard [Beefeater] design as a speculative poster, originally thinking it would make a good advertisement for extract of beef, or for Gilbert & Sullivan's opera 'The Yeoman of the Guard'. Rejected for both purposes, the design was sold by The Artistic Supply Company to Harper's of New York (a pioneer of the artistic poster) who used it to advertise the European edition of their magazine. The Beggarstaffs insisted on designing the lettering as well as the image of the poster, and when it was posted up (all over Britain) , it triggered much favourable and critical comment for its bold, unconventional composition.

E.370-1921