Items Similar to British Post Office Greetings Telegrams (1935-1978), after various artists
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10
UnknownBritish Post Office Greetings Telegrams (1935-1978), after various artists1935-1978
1935-1978
About the Item
British Post Office Greetings Telegrams (1935-1978), after various artists
photolithograph
dimensions, including frames:
33 x Telegram 9 ¾ x 11 ⅞ in. (24.8 x 30.1 cm.)
31 x Telegram 10 ½ x 12 in. (26.8 x 30.5 cm.)
12 x Telegram 11 ½ x 18 in. (29.2 x 45.7 cm.) and similar
12 x Telegram 9 x 11 ½ in. (22.9 x 29.2 cm.)
1 x Telegram 11 ¾ x 12 ¾ in. (29.8 x 32.4 cm.)
1 x Telegram 9 x 10 ⅜ in. (22.9 x 26.3 cm.)
1 x Telegram 8 x 10 ½ in. (20.3 x 26.7 cm.)
A set of ninety-one (91)
The historical equivalent of a text or WhatsApp message, the first telegram was sent in code in 1844 from Washington to Baltimore by Samuel Morse, asking “What hath God wrought?” By 1870 (the year that the British General Post Office nationalised the service), more than 3,000,000 telegrams were being sent annually, of which one of the shortest ever was from Oscar Wilde, who, enquiring as to sales for his new book, sent a solitary “?” to his publisher. The response was “!”.
To harness new commercial appeal, the Greetings Telegram was introduced in 1935. Costing three pence more than a standard telegram, the initiative was a great success, and nearly 25,000 were sent out in the first week.
In 1943, during the Second World War, production of the Greetings Telegram was halted due to paper rationing and exigencies. Upon its reintroduction in 1950, demand was on a steep decline due to the increasing popularity of the telephone, and also the negative association that the telegram had acquired through informing families that their loved ones had been killed or were missing in action. The final British Greetings Telegram was produced in 1978, and the overall service came to an end in the United Kingdom in 1982.
As the present collection illustrates, Greetings Telegrams were extremely popular for celebrating special events: from newborn babies to weddings; from Christmas and coronations to Valentine’s day. Indeed, more than 50,000 of Rex Whistler’s Valentine’s design of 1936 were dispatched. The Greetings Telegram was a great way for artists to increase their profile and reach an incredibly broad audience, combining - in a very Warholian manner - mass production, consumerism and art. The artists featured in this collection include Edward Ardizzone, Rex Whistler and John Strickland Goodall. However, the first Greetings Telegram was designed by Mrs Calkin James, a Post Office employee.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY A SMALL SELECTION OF THE GREETINGS TELEGRAMS HAVE BEEN ILLUSTRATED.
For a comprehensive listing of the artists, complete illustrations, and further information about the Telegrams, please view my online catalogue.
- Creation Year:1935-1978
- Dimensions:Height: 11 in (27.94 cm)Width: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU80612354153
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 2016
1stDibs seller since 2017
26 sales on 1stDibs
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- The hand of vitalityLocated in London, GBdated, inscribed and signed ‘1987/ The Hand/ of/ Vitality/ Deborah/ Schneedbeli/ Morrell’ (on the reverse) bodycolour, card and paper mache 18 ⅞ x 12 ¾ in. (4...Category
1980s Modern Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsGouache, Papier Mâché
- OctoplateBy Tom RoothLocated in London, GBThe Octopussy with signature on the suckers, and the artist's thumbprint (on the reverse) screenprint on earthenware, with underglaze paint 37 cm. (14 ½ ) diam. 6.1 cm. (2 ⅜ in....Category
2010s Realist More Art
MaterialsCeramic, Paint
- A giant house spider, in a hand-carved spiderweb patterned frame, circa 1880By Tom RoothLocated in London, GBThis is a unique and unusual work, by artist Tom Rooth. The spider is drawn with underglaze pencils (pencils made out of ceramic), on a handmade ceramic panel. The handmade frame, wh...Category
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
MaterialsCeramic, Pencil
- Bee columns, in a water-gilded frame, circa 1870By Tom RoothLocated in London, GBThis work was created by Tom Rooth in the Cambrian Mountains of Wales. Production process: Tom makes the ceramic panel, which then dries for a month. After this, he carves it down, and then it goes into the kiln for a 48 hour cycle firing. Tom then draws onto the panel, with underglaze pencils, and then glazes the artwork which goes into the kiln once more, for another 48 hour firing cycle. It is then ready for the frame. Tom has an expert knowledge of frames - his parents were framers and restorers, and he worked at Christie's as Senior Picture Specialist and Director for 14 years. Tom's works are unique, highly decorative, highly original, and will compliment any interior, whether traditional or contemporary. Tom has exhibited at The Treasure House...Category
2010s Realist Mixed Media
MaterialsCeramic, Glaze, Pencil
- Stag beetle, presented in an English, 17th Century hand-carved oak frameBy Tom RoothLocated in London, GBThis work was created by Tom Rooth in the Cambrian Mountains of Wales, where Tom lives, off-grid. Production process: Tom makes the ceramic panel, which then dries for a month. After this, he carves it down, and then it goes into the kiln for a 48 hour cycle firing. Tom then draws onto the panel, with underglaze pencils, and then glazes the artwork which goes into the kiln once more, for another 48 hour firing cycle. It is then ready for the frame (the frame dictates the subject-matter). Tom has an expert knowledge of frames - his parents were framers and restorers, and he worked at Christie's as Senior Picture Specialist and Director for 14 years, and prior to this Bonhams, Phillips and Sotheby's. Tom's works are unique, highly decorative, highly original, and will compliment any interior, whether traditional or contemporary. Tom has exhibited at The Treasure House...Category
2010s Realist Mixed Media
MaterialsCeramic, Glaze, Pencil
- Homage to a toad - underglaze pencil on ceramicBy Tom RoothLocated in London, GBThis work was created by Tom Rooth in the Cambrian Mountains of Wales. A colony of toads live under and around his cottage, and in the summer nights (particularly when going to the kiln late at night to close the vent), Tom often encounters them. They have lived there for generations. Production process: Tom makes the ceramic panel, which then dries for a month. After this, he carves it down, and then it goes into the kiln for a 48 hour cycle firing. Tom then draws onto the panel, with underglaze pencils, and then glazes the artwork which goes into the kiln once more, for another 48 hour firing cycle. It is then ready for the frame (the frame dictates the subject-matter). Tom has an expert knowledge of frames - his parents were framers and restorers, and he worked at Christie's as Senior Picture Specialist and Director for 14 years, and prior to this Bonhams, Phillips and Sotheby's. Tom's works are unique, highly decorative, highly original, and will compliment any interior, whether traditional or contemporary. Tom has exhibited at The Treasure House...Category
2010s Realist Mixed Media
MaterialsCeramic, Glaze, Pencil
You May Also Like
- Still life with Journal and Flowers - Lithograph and Stencil, 1959By Fernand LégerLocated in Paris, FRFernand LÉGER Still life with Journal and Flowers, 1959 Original lithograph and stencil Printed signature in the plate On vellum Auvergne 50,2 x 40 cm (c. 19,7 x 15,7 Inches) Publ...Category
1950s Modern Figurative Prints
MaterialsLithograph, Stencil
- Rachel Hides her Father's Housold Gods - Lithograph by Marc Chagall - 1960By Marc ChagallLocated in Roma, ITRachel hides her father's housold gods is a an artwork from the Series "The Bible", realized by Marc Chagall in 1960. Mixed colored lithograph on brown-toned paper, no signature. ...Category
1960s Modern Figurative Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Lying Woman - Original vintage lithograph poster, Maeght 1966By Francis BaconLocated in Paris, FRFrancis BACON (after) Lying Woman Original vintage lithograph poster On heavy paper 71 x 45 cm (c. 28 x 18 inch) This lithograph was created for the arti...Category
1960s Modern Figurative Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Seated NudeBy Richard DiebenkornLocated in Laguna Beach, CAA highly influential mid-century American artist, Richard Diebenkorn is known for his abstract landscape paintings, in particular, the "Ocean Park" series, which he exhibited when re...Category
1960s American Modern Figurative Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Majesty Gathering - Lithograph by Hégésippe Moreau - Early 20th CenturyLocated in Roma, ITMajesty Gathering is a lithograph on paper realized by Hégésippe Moreau in 1838. The artwork is in good conditions. Hégésippe Moreau (1810-1838) was a French lyric poet. The romant...Category
Early 20th Century Modern Figurative Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Prisoner - Lithograph by Hégésippe Moreau - Early 20th CenturyLocated in Roma, ITPrisoner is a lithograph on paper realized by Hégésippe Moreau in 1838. The artwork is in good conditions. Hégésippe Moreau (1810-1838) was a French lyric poet. The romantic myth w...Category
Early 20th Century Modern Figurative Prints
MaterialsLithograph
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Vintage Post Office
Office 1978
Oscar Wilde
Christmas Lithograph
Whistler Lithograph
Christmas Vintage Illustration
Vintage Christmas Illustrations
Coronation Year
James Whistler Lithograph
Telephone Lithograph
18 Whistle
Vintage Baby Illustrations
Post Modern Telephone
Telegram Vintage
John Wilde
Vintage Newborn
Samuel Morse
Baby Whistle