British Poster Time Capsule

London Underground Posters - Royal Blue illustrated by Daphne Padden

Flashback! Take a look at this graphic glimpse into London’s yesteryear.

Construction work at the Notting Hill Gate Tube station recently uncovered some absolutely stunning advertising posters that date from 1956 – 1959. Found in an old lift passageway, they have been preserved for over fifty years. Why did they stand the test of time? Because during that same decade, the station’s lifts were removed, replaced by escalators, and the passageway abandoned. Lucky us. The switch to escalators saved this slice of visual culture. They will be leaving the posters intact at the station.

The posters are remarkable for so many reasons; illustration style, use of color, and typography. As a set, they really wow, and make me nostalgic for a less CMYK-centric landscape. Interesting to note how neglect can sometimes be the best method of preservation. I wonder what other pockets of poster history are hiding in the world’s subway tunnels?

Photo credits to the London Underground.