"Returned From Klondyke"
Poster
ca. 1899 (made)
ca. 1899 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This is a colour lithograph. 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. For a colour lithograph, a separate surface is required for each colour. The poster is 6-sheet format, measuring roughly 90 x 40 inches, which is based on the unit of measurement of double-crown sheet size (30 x 20 inches).
Subjects Depicted
The point of this poster is to advertise Colman's Mustard: the name of the product is spelt out in bold so that it can be read at a distance. The artist, John Hassall, cleverly illustrates both the product itself (seen in the packet on the table), and its usage (shown by the huddled figure of an exhausted gold prospector). Mustard baths are traditionally made by mixing a spoonful or two of roughly-milled mustard into a foot-bath of hot water; the effects are notably warming and relaxing.
Time
The poster makes capital out of a current event - the aftermath of the Klondike Gold Rush. Gold was discovered in the valley of the Klondike River, in the Yukon territory of north-western Canada, in 1896, and hopeful prospectors rushed to the scene. After a few years, the gold petered out and many adventurers returned home disappointed.
This is a colour lithograph. 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. For a colour lithograph, a separate surface is required for each colour. The poster is 6-sheet format, measuring roughly 90 x 40 inches, which is based on the unit of measurement of double-crown sheet size (30 x 20 inches).
Subjects Depicted
The point of this poster is to advertise Colman's Mustard: the name of the product is spelt out in bold so that it can be read at a distance. The artist, John Hassall, cleverly illustrates both the product itself (seen in the packet on the table), and its usage (shown by the huddled figure of an exhausted gold prospector). Mustard baths are traditionally made by mixing a spoonful or two of roughly-milled mustard into a foot-bath of hot water; the effects are notably warming and relaxing.
Time
The poster makes capital out of a current event - the aftermath of the Klondike Gold Rush. Gold was discovered in the valley of the Klondike River, in the Yukon territory of north-western Canada, in 1896, and hopeful prospectors rushed to the scene. After a few years, the gold petered out and many adventurers returned home disappointed.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | "Returned From Klondyke" |
| Materials and techniques | Colour lithograph print on paper |
| Brief description | "Returned From Klondyke". Colour lithograph poster advertising Colman's Mustard. The design depicts a comic-book character swaddled in a bright yellow blanket and wearing a red nightcap. Designed by John Hassall. Printed by David Allen & Sons Ltd.. Issued by S.H. Benson. Great Britain. ca.1899. |
| Physical description | "Returned From Klondyke". Colour lithograph poster advertising Colman's Mustard. The design depicts a comic-book character swaddled in a bright yellow blanket and wearing a red nightcap. He has a heavy cold that has given him a bright red nose, and he is seated on a chair with his feet in a white bowl full of steaming water with mustard in it. An open packet of Colman's Mustard is on a stool with a white spoon beside it. Signed. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Signed with the monogram 'JHL'. |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
This humorous poster refers to the aftermath of the Klondyke gold rush. Gold was found in the valley of the Klondyke River, Canada in 1896, but by 1899 it had dwindled. Using expressive outline and simple colours, the designer John Hassall has depicted a returning prospector reviving himself with a hot footbath of Colman's Mustard.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Given by Ogilvy Benson & Mather Ltd |
| Object history | This poster design is a sequel to “To Klondyke” (see E.1408-1963). Designed in London by John Hassall, RI, RWA (born in Walmer, Kent, 1868, died in London, 1948); issued by S.H. Benson (advertising agent), London, for J. & J. Colman Ltd. Printed by David Allen & Sons Ltd., Harrow, Belfast, London, Manchester. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Object Type This is a colour lithograph. 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. For a colour lithograph, a separate surface is required for each colour. The poster is 6-sheet format, measuring roughly 90 x 40 inches, which is based on the unit of measurement of double-crown sheet size (30 x 20 inches). Subjects Depicted The point of this poster is to advertise Colman's Mustard: the name of the product is spelt out in bold so that it can be read at a distance. The artist, John Hassall, cleverly illustrates both the product itself (seen in the packet on the table), and its usage (shown by the huddled figure of an exhausted gold prospector). Mustard baths are traditionally made by mixing a spoonful or two of roughly-milled mustard into a foot-bath of hot water; the effects are notably warming and relaxing. Time The poster makes capital out of a current event - the aftermath of the Klondike Gold Rush. Gold was discovered in the valley of the Klondike River, in the Yukon territory of north-western Canada, in 1896, and hopeful prospectors rushed to the scene. After a few years, the gold petered out and many adventurers returned home disappointed. |
| Associated object | E.1408-1963 (Series) |
| Bibliographic reference | 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 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.23-1973 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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