British Industries Fair
Poster
1953 (printed and published)
1953 (printed and published)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Ashley Havinden (1903-1973) was an influential graphic artist and a leading figure in his profession, acclaimed for his designs for posters and advertisements, typography, packaging and corporate identity.
This poster advertises the British Industries Fair held simultaneously in London and at the Castle Bromwich exhibition centre in Birmingham. For forty years (1920-60) BIF was Britain’s shop window to the world, a trade fair of global importance, showcasing the products of the UK and its Commonwealth. The Birmingham site, which concentrated on local strengths in engineering, electricals and heavy industry, was once officially the most visited attraction in the country. It received several royal visitors, including King George V and Queen Mary in 1928, and Prince Philip in Coronation Year 1953, the date of this poster.
Ashley Havinden has wittily picked out the royal crown motif and the initials ‘BIF’ in cog-shaped circles that echo the Fair’s industrial purpose, but also reference floral motifs. His design is coloured in celebratory red, white and blue, in anticipation of the Coronation to come.
This poster advertises the British Industries Fair held simultaneously in London and at the Castle Bromwich exhibition centre in Birmingham. For forty years (1920-60) BIF was Britain’s shop window to the world, a trade fair of global importance, showcasing the products of the UK and its Commonwealth. The Birmingham site, which concentrated on local strengths in engineering, electricals and heavy industry, was once officially the most visited attraction in the country. It received several royal visitors, including King George V and Queen Mary in 1928, and Prince Philip in Coronation Year 1953, the date of this poster.
Ashley Havinden has wittily picked out the royal crown motif and the initials ‘BIF’ in cog-shaped circles that echo the Fair’s industrial purpose, but also reference floral motifs. His design is coloured in celebratory red, white and blue, in anticipation of the Coronation to come.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | British Industries Fair (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Color offset lithograph on paper |
| Brief description | Poster for the British Industries Fair, 1953, designed by Ashley Havinden (1903-73). Colour offset lithograph. |
| Physical description | A crown and the letters BIF spelled out in blocks of colour and cog-like motifs. Predominantly red, blue, white and yellow on a buff ground. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Content description | Advertisement for a trade fair. |
| Marks and inscriptions | Ashley (Signed in the printed image) |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Ashley Havinden (1903-1973) was an influential graphic artist and a leading figure in his profession, acclaimed for his designs for posters and advertisements, typography, packaging and corporate identity. This poster advertises the British Industries Fair held simultaneously in London and at the Castle Bromwich exhibition centre in Birmingham. For forty years (1920-60) BIF was Britain’s shop window to the world, a trade fair of global importance, showcasing the products of the UK and its Commonwealth. The Birmingham site, which concentrated on local strengths in engineering, electricals and heavy industry, was once officially the most visited attraction in the country. It received several royal visitors, including King George V and Queen Mary in 1928, and Prince Philip in Coronation Year 1953, the date of this poster. Ashley Havinden has wittily picked out the royal crown motif and the initials ‘BIF’ in cog-shaped circles that echo the Fair’s industrial purpose, but also reference floral motifs. His design is coloured in celebratory red, white and blue, in anticipation of the Coronation to come. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.156-2018 |
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| Record created | January 19, 2018 |
| Record URL |
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