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Extension (telephone) / GPO

Trade Literature
ca. 1936] (published)
Artist/Maker
GPO (publisher)
Great Britain. Post Office
Place of origin
[London? (published)

Extension (telephone) / GPO.
Great Britain. Post Office

Publisher:
[London? : GPO, ca. 1936].

Description:
1 folded sheet ([4] p.) : col. ill. ; 19 cm.

Series:
P.H. ; 204

Notes:
Designed by Morris, almost certainly G.R.Morris.
Trade literature.
Part of the Jobbing Printing Collection.
38041800168353 Exhibited in NAL touring exhibition 'Inspiration by Design: Word and Image from the National Art Library at the V&A', State Library of Victoria, Melbourne, 20 March 2015-14 June 2015 and State Library of New South Wales, Sydney, 8 July 2015-27 Sept. 2015.

Subjects:
Telephone -- Great Britain.

Genre or Form:
Trade catalogues -- England 1936.
Advertising literature (writings) -- England 1936.

Names:
Great Britain. Post Office
Morris, G. R., designer.
National Art Library (Great Britain). Jobbing Printing Collection.

Added Title:
Telephone extension.


Object details

Category
National Art Library
Object type
trade literature
TitleExtension (telephone) / GPO
Brief description
Extension (telephone) / GPO. Great Britain. Post Office Publisher: [London? : GPO, ca. 1936].
Physical description
Extension (telephone) / GPO.
Great Britain. Post Office

Publisher:
[London? : GPO, ca. 1936].

Description:
1 folded sheet ([4] p.) : col. ill. ; 19 cm.

Series:
P.H. ; 204

Notes:
Designed by Morris, almost certainly G.R.Morris.
Trade literature.
Part of the Jobbing Printing Collection.
38041800168353 Exhibited in NAL touring exhibition 'Inspiration by Design: Word and Image from the National Art Library at the V&A', State Library of Victoria, Melbourne, 20 March 2015-14 June 2015 and State Library of New South Wales, Sydney, 8 July 2015-27 Sept. 2015.

Subjects:
Telephone -- Great Britain.

Genre or Form:
Trade catalogues -- England 1936.
Advertising literature (writings) -- England 1936.

Names:
Great Britain. Post Office
Morris, G. R., designer.
National Art Library (Great Britain). Jobbing Printing Collection.

Added Title:
Telephone extension.


Gallery label
Promoting Commercial Art: The Initiative of 1936

After the economic crash of 1929–30, commercial graphics were considered a major tool in efforts to stimulate consumption and revive the world economy.

In 1936, the Library devised a project to extend its considerable collection of commercial graphics. It solicited samples of work from significant designers throughout Europe and America to create an ‘open reference collection [representing] the trend of typographic design, both in [Britain] and abroad’ for the benefit of students. The idea that graphic art was essential both in business and in shaping consumer taste recalls some of the founding principles of the Museum.

A small exhibition, Modern Commercial Typography, publicised the collection. Current but traditional work was displayed next to material that showed the influence of progressive developments in architecture and photography. Simplicity was valued over ornamental detail and typography given a dramatic role. Included in the exhibition were examples of new techniques such as airbrushing and photomontage.

General Post Office Brochures

Leaflets and posters promoting the General Post Office exposed the public to a range of modernist styles. Sir Stephen Tallents (1884–1958), Public Relations Officer at the GPO from 1933, re-designed its image as a leader in communications technology. He was a pioneer in commissioning artists for the organisation’s printed publicity rather than using advertising agencies. He also ensured that designers’ names appeared on their work.

G.R. Morris (active mid-20th century)
Extension
1936

London
Published by the General Post Office
Donated by the General Post Office
Museum no. 38041800168353
Collection
National Art Library
Library number
38041800168353

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Record createdOctober 27, 2017
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1419733/extension-telephone--gpo-trade-literature-gpo/
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