Random House New Releases - Antiques & Collectibles - Paper Ephemera - Between May 23, 2012 and June 22, 2013.

British Railway Tickets by Jan Dobrzynski

2013-02-19T00:30:00-05:00

British Railway Tickets
Written by Jan Dobrzynski

In 1838 Thomas Edmondson, an employee of the fledgling Newcastle & Carlisle Railway, revolutionized the ticket issuing process in Britain and left an enduring legacy: the Edmondson ticket. Purchased as proof of the contract between passenger and railway company, the ticket was a receipt, travel pass and an ephemeral record of almost every train journey ever taken in the British Isles, reflecting the nostalgia of the railways and a period of history when the movement of millions of people brought together England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The railways printed millions of tickets for every conceivable journey and category of passenger. Most were destroyed after use, but remarkably many survive, in the care of libraries, museums and collectors, and form the basis of a fascinating hobby.

Home Front Posters by Susannah Walker

2012-07-24T00:30:00-05:00

Home Front Posters
Written by Susannah Walker

From Coughs and Sneezes Spread Diseases to Keep Calm and Carry On, the Home Front posters from the Second World War have become part of British culture. Some were design classics, others more prosaic, but together they give a fascinating insight into the trials and tribulations of living through World War Two.

This was the first total war, with civilians as essential to the war effort as soldiers. So posters instructed people on everything from cooking and salvage to how to speak, and even think, about the war. This book tells the story behind these posters: how they were designed and produced, what they wanted to achieve, and what the British public really thought of them. Looking at famous images and forgotten gems, it is essential reading for anyone interested in both life on the Home Front and the design of the times.

Railway Posters by Lorna Frost

2012-07-24T00:30:00-05:00

Railway Posters
Written by Lorna Frost

Railway posters have a huge appeal to the modern audience, but just what is it that appeals to us? Enduring images of iconic locomotives, bathing beauties and characters such as Sunny South Sam are testament to the persuasive power of the railway company marketing departments established in the late nineteenth century. Railway posters not only tell us about railway history and technology, architectural and engineering accomplishments, but they also give us insights into the cultural and social significance of the railways. The influence of the railway industry on our cities and coastlines and the development of leisure time and holiday resorts can be seen in the recurring images of ramblers, bathers and idyllic tourist destinations. This book explores the changing styles and functions of the railway poster from the early pre-grouping days through to the inter-war 'golden age', World War Two and the nationalised British Railways.