F.H. WARREN (DATES UNKNOWN) CRUDEN BAY / SEEKERS OF GOOD SPIRITS. 1935. 40 1/4x50 inches, 102 1/4x127 cm. John Waddington Ltd., Leeds. Condition B+ / B: losses, restored losses, tears and staining in margins; repaired tears, sharp creases and abrasions in margins and image. Mounted on Chartex. The Cruden Bay golf course and magnificent hotel built from pink Peterhead marble were constructed by the Great North of Scotland Railway in the twilight years of the 19th century. A railroad connection from Aberdeen was added shortly thereafter, however, the short golf season rendered the railway unprofitable and the line from Aberdeen was shut down in 1932. It is of interest to note that this poster does not promote any of the British Railway lines, although earlier posters for Cruden Bay clearly publicize the LNER (and a variation of this poster exists with wording for the LNER in the black box at the bottom). In addition to its being a railway poster that does not promote a specific railway, the poster further presents a confusing message by advertising the area as "duty free." One possibility is that Scottish Temperance societies might have scared off certain visitors and this would have been reassuring to "seekers of good spirits" that they wouldn't have any problems at this resort. Similarly, the image of the pirate is curious as there was no known pirate activity in the region. Some have referred to the figure as a smuggler, as there was certainly a lot of smuggling activity around Cruden Bay, but no pirates. F.H. Warren designed posters for Derry and Toms department stores as well as the London Underground, the LNER and the White Star Line. Hillier p. 69, Furness vol. 1, p. 86.
