Lyon & Turnbull | Travel and Vintage Posters

The upcoming 29 October Travel & Vintage poster auction features a remarkable selection of rare British travel posters, including pieces from the collection of David Hillman, the influential British graphic designer best known for his ground breaking redesign of The Guardian in 1988.Among the highlights is “The Houses of Parliament” (c.1925) by Norman Wilkinson, promoting travel to London via LMS (London, Midland and Scottish Railway).

Hillman had a particular admiration for the work of Tom Purvis, renowned for his classic Art Deco style marked by bold silhouettes and minimal colour palettes. This style is clearly evident in Purvis’s striking designs for "Yorkshire Moors" (1930) and "Lincolnshire",(1933) both featured in the auction.

Also included in the sale is a rare opportunity to acquire a collection of London Underground posters advertising travel to London Zoo. Dating from 1913 to 1930, considered the golden age of London Underground design, the collection features  "For The Zoo, Sealions", created in 1925 by Ruth Sandys, with an estimate of £5,000–7,000.

During this period, London Underground commissioned numerous female artists, including Ruth Sandys, to design promotional material for The Zoo. Thanks to the commissioners' high standards and the artists’ creativity, the Zoo campaign became one of the network’s most iconic and successful advertising efforts. These posters were eagerly awaited by the public, and whimsical depictions of animals, such as parrots, vultures, kangaroos, and chameleons, brightened station platforms across the city.

London's attractions were also heavily promoted by the Underground and the auction features a striking design by Verney Danvers promoting "Underground for the Theatres" in 1926, a work rarely seen at auction.