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East India Tea Company

Poster
ca. 1870 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This poster is a colour lithograph or chromolithograph. A lithograph is a picture made by printing from a flat surface (traditionally stone, now often a metal plate), on which the artist draws or paints the original design with a greasy substance like chalk. The surface is next prepared, moistened and inked; the greasy printing ink adheres to the design, which is then printed onto a sheet of paper. To make a colour lithograph a separate printing surface is required for each colour.

Subjects Depicted
Through a combination of imagery and text, this poster relays a great deal of information about the East India Tea Company, its brand of teas, and the way they were marketed. The lettering boldly spells out the name of the Company and its central London address, which is reinforced by the view of the headquarters building in St. Helen's Bishopsgate in the City of London. The scale of its British operation is spelt out in the sub-text, proudly boasting that agents for the product are 'appointed in every town & village'. The range of teas - black, green, mixed - is clearly described, and the price (two shillings per pound in weight) and weight per bag (6 pounds) is shown in label format. The artist also shows us the brand packaging, visible on the consignment of tea arriving at headquarters.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleEast India Tea Company
Materials and techniques
colour lithograph, inks on paper
Brief description
Poster advertising the East India Tea Company; Depicting St Helen's Churchyard, London; Colour lithograph, on paper; Lithographed by J. Adlard, London; Published c.1870.
Physical description
Poster advertising the East India Tea Company; Depicting St Helen's Churchyard, London; Colour lithograph, on paper.
Dimensions
  • Height: 60.6cm
  • Width: 91.4cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 02/03/1999 by LH/ KL
Marks and inscriptions
'J. Adlard. Lith. 14 Little Tower St. EC' (Inscribed.)
Gallery label
(27/03/2003)
British Galleries:
The East India Tea Company made enormous profits, but after losing its monopoly on the importing of tea into Britain in 1834, it had to compete in a mass market. Advertising was vital. This early colour poster shows a scene around its offices near the churchyard of St. Helen's, Bishopsgate, London. It shows a horse-drawn vehicle delivering tea to the company's premises.
Credit line
Presented by E. A. Binstead
Object history
Lithographed by J. Adlard, London
Place depicted
Summary
Object Type
This poster is a colour lithograph or chromolithograph. A lithograph is a picture made by printing from a flat surface (traditionally stone, now often a metal plate), on which the artist draws or paints the original design with a greasy substance like chalk. The surface is next prepared, moistened and inked; the greasy printing ink adheres to the design, which is then printed onto a sheet of paper. To make a colour lithograph a separate printing surface is required for each colour.

Subjects Depicted
Through a combination of imagery and text, this poster relays a great deal of information about the East India Tea Company, its brand of teas, and the way they were marketed. The lettering boldly spells out the name of the Company and its central London address, which is reinforced by the view of the headquarters building in St. Helen's Bishopsgate in the City of London. The scale of its British operation is spelt out in the sub-text, proudly boasting that agents for the product are 'appointed in every town & village'. The range of teas - black, green, mixed - is clearly described, and the price (two shillings per pound in weight) and weight per bag (6 pounds) is shown in label format. The artist also shows us the brand packaging, visible on the consignment of tea arriving at headquarters.
Bibliographic references
  • Summary Catalogue of British Posters to 1988 in the Victoria & Albert Museum in the Department of Design, Prints & Drawing. Emmett Publishing, 1990. 129 p. ISBN: 1 869934 12 1
  • Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design and Department of Paintings, Accessions 1926, London: Board of Education, 1927.
Other number
1/A3 - V&A microfiche
Collection
Accession number
E.180-1926

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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