BARNETT FREEDMAN (1901-1958) THEATRE / GO BY UNDERGROUND. Two posters. 1936. Each approximately 39 3/4x24 3/4 inches, 101x63 cm. Curwen Press, London. Condition A-: minor repaired tears at edges; minor creases in image; slight time-staining at top edge. "The son of Russian Jews [Barnett] worked as a signwriter and a stonemason's and architect's assistant while attending evening classes at St. Martin's School of Art. He then studied painting at the Royal College of Art. A pioneer in the revival of colour lithography [as a medium for book illustration], he illustrated numerous literary works as well as designed publicity material for Shell, the BBC and the General Post Office" (Underground p. 140). "His poster designs for London Transport are a tour-de-force of lithographic technique and are further embellished by the use of unusual inks and spot-varnish effects" (London Transport p. 96). These two posters were printed as a pair but also work individually. At the same time, Freedman designed another poster with the same theme featuring a clown. Weill fig. 399, London Transport 80, Modern British Posters p. 109, Poster Progress p. 57.
