HELEN MCKIE (1899-1957) WATERLOO STATION / SOUTHERN RAILWAY / WAR AND PEACE. 1947.
39 3/4x49 3/4 inches, 101x126 1/2 cm. The Baynard Press, London.
Condition B+ / A-: repaired tears and restoration at edges and along vertical and horizontal folds; vertical creases in lower text.
One of two posters commissioned from Helen McKie for Waterloo Station's 100th anniversary, this one represents the station during wartime. Despite the war, the station is still bustling, with trains in their sidings and a host of different people swirling around the platforms: soldiers, vendors, pensioners, students, sailors, travelers and others. "Mckie carried out a wide range of work for the Southern [Railway]. In addition to both writing and illustrating booklets and other publicity material, she designed uniforms and upholstery" (Railway p. 91). These two posters she created have been referred to as "monumental" (Art for All p. 112), and it is rare for them both to be offered at the same time. Railway p. 91.