Captain Cook Embarking 1776 Whitby
Maker
Fred Taylor
(1875 - 1963)
Date1928
Object number00016854
NamePoster
MediumColour offset lithographic print on paper, backed onto linen or canvas at a later date.
DimensionsOverall: 1010 x 1265 mm, 0.2 kg
ClassificationsPosters and postcards
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionAn advertising poster produced by the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) for the English seaside town of Whitby titled 'Capt. Cook Embarking 1776 Whitby'.
Captain James Cook appears in the foreground, the RESOLUTION at centre left and the harbour and town of Whitby in the background. Artwork is by the English artist Fred Taylor who became renowned for his advertising posters.
HistoryIn 1923 British Rail was divided into four regional divisions, the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) being one.
All responsibility fell to the individual lines to advertise and promote their destinations and the LNER under William Teasdale was highly successful in changing the way rail travel was advertised.
Teasdale hired the best and most contemporary artists to not only promote the use of LNER but to actively encourage people to travel by train for pleasure. Posters now did not contain only travel logistics and information but were specifically created to catch passenger’s attention at a mere glance. The concept being;
"A central picture with short caption or title that was easier for the passer by to read. These posters were carefully produced to symbolise ideas of Englishness, history, pleasure, recreation, romance and style."
(Field, L. 'Railway Posters', 2012, Bloomsbury Publishing).
One of the great artists employed by LNER was Fred Taylor. He was responsible for the first poster produced for the line in 1923 for York Minster. The image was so well received that one reviewer commented "one of the finest coloured posters ever issued in connection with railway publicity'. Taylor was known for his architecture and landscape works and his expertise of 'light and shade, delicate drawing and sombre masses in his landscapes'.
This poster for Whitby in 1928 focus on the historic town and abbey ruins. The town was renowned for its past shipbuilding industry which produced not only James Cook's ENDEAVOUR, but also the RESOLUTION and DISCOVERY. Captain Cook had been based in Whitby as an apprentice to Captain John Walker. Cook trained as a seaman, having positions on various ships and voyages from October 1746 to June 1755.SignificanceRailway advertising between the wars saw a different approach taken to leisure and holiday destinations. Culturally and historically significant sites were used to promote towns such as this example for Whitby. James Cook was irrevocably connected to this seaside town and the pride England felt for the explorer used to promote it as a desirable location.
