ERVINE METZL (DATES UNKNOWN) CHICAGO. 1924. 41 1/4x27 1/4 inches. Edwards & Deutsch & Co., Chicago. Condition B: repaired tears and restored losses in margins and image; overpainting in margins and text. In the 1920s, taking a page from the book of the London Underground, the Chicago Rapid Transit Company began a strong poster campaign to lure riders to use their trains for more than just commuting to work. Although present-day research suggests that approximately 160 such posters were designed between 1921 and 1929, they are extremely scarce today and seldom come on the market. Metzl's work, which seems to have been influenced by the cut-out style of Britain's Beggarstaff Brothers, stood out from the crowd of other young graphic designers involved with this campaign. He went on to become a prolific illustrator, the author of a 1963 book about posters (The Poster). He was also appointed head of the first Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee, established to advise the postmaster general on improving the design and colors on American stamps. Metzl p. 157.
