Essex Gallery

Butlins Holiday Camp, Clacton-on-Sea, LNER poster, 1940

London & North Eastern Railway poster. The inter-war years saw the rise of the holiday camp because the standard of living improved and families had more money to spend on leisure. Annual holidays became popular and massive investment programmes were launched at popular resorts to attract visitors. The holiday camp provided all the delights and fun of the seaside on one site. Butlin's, at Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, opened in June 1938 and closed at the end of the summer season in 1983. Artwork by J Greenup. Printed by Jarrold & Sons Ltd of Norwich & London

© Please read our licence terms. All digital images must be destroyed unless otherwise agreed in writing

The Train Ferry, 1924-1948

Watercolour painting by Frank H Mason showing a view of Harwich-Zeebrugge train ferry at sea with the Cork lightship in the background, produced for a London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) poster. The LNER was formed in 1923 when three railway companies, the Great Central Railway, Great Eastern Railway and the Great Northern Railway, amalgamated. They operated ferry services between Harwich and the continental ports of Zeebrugge, Belgium, and the Hook of Holland. In 1948 the company's ferry fleet was nationalised, becoming part of the British Transport Commission

© Please read our licence terms. All digital images must be destroyed unless otherwise agreed in writing

Harwich for the Continent , LNER poster, 1934

Poster produced for London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) to promote sea services from Harwich to the Continent. The services operated both day and night, with destinations including the Hook of Holland, Antwerp, Zeebrugge and Esbjerg. The poster shows a row of steamships, seen from below to exaggerate their size, illuminated against the dark night. Artwork by Frank Mason (1876-1965), who was educated at HMS Conway and spent time at sea. He painted marine and coastal subjects. In addition to designing railway posters, he was also involved in engineering and shipbuilding in Leeds and Hartlepool

© Please read our licence terms. All digital images must be destroyed unless otherwise agreed in writing