London Metropolitan Archives art prints

London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) is home to an amazing range of documents, images, maps, films and books about the history of London. Located in central London, LMA is free to use and open to everyone, with excellent research facilities as well as regular exhibitions, talks and events for anyone interested in the history of the capital to enjoy. The London County Council (LCC) Tramways posters are part of the LCC collection at LMA and first appeared in February 1922. The initial set of 12 black and white posters commissioned by the LCC to promote its extensive network of public street tramways was designed by students of the Central School of Arts and Crafts. In 1923 the first colour posters were produced, again designed by students of the Central School. However, by 1927 other artists and agencies were employed in their place. The original posters varied in size from 72cm x 36cm, the size of a tram's display panel, to 152cm x 102cm. The posters depicted a range of subjects and messages. Some suggesting day trips in London (to the London Zoo, parks and gardens, the Thames, museums and galleries) and others advertising sporting venues (football and cricket), Christmas shopping and promoting late night cheap travel. The final posters were produced in 1933, when the LCC passed the management of the tramways to the London Passenger Transport Board.