Original Cornwall British Railways Poster by William Bowyer, Pictorial Map Travel Poster, c.1950

Original Cornwall poster by William Bowyer, an authentic British Railways pictorial map poster published by the Western Region and printed by N. Lloyd & Co. Ltd., London SE1, circa 1950. Public cataloguing also records the poster as RR 97.

This is exactly the kind of railway poster that rewards both the collector and the decorator. Rather than reducing Cornwall to a single scenic view, Bowyer unfolds the county as a richly illustrated map full of legends, landmarks, heraldry, seaside life, and local character. Mermaids, witches, saints, kings, pirates, beaches, harbours, coats of arms, shipwrecks, and holidaymakers are all woven into the design, turning the poster into something far more memorable than a straightforward travel advertisement.

What makes the poster especially successful is the way it works at two distances. Across a room, it reads as a bold and highly decorative mid-century map, with strong colour, crisp structure, and the unmistakable confidence of British Railways design. Up close, it becomes almost narrative, packed with tiny visual jokes, stories, and local references that continue to reveal themselves over time. That combination of graphic strength and storytelling detail is a large part of why these pictorial railway maps remain so collectable.

It also belongs to an important post-war moment in British travel advertising. British Railways used posters like this to promote domestic leisure travel and to celebrate the distinctive identity of regional destinations. In this case, Cornwall is presented not simply as somewhere to reach by train, but as a county of myth, history, and character. Seen today, the poster works equally well as railway history, decorative wall art, and a vivid celebration of Cornwall itself.

This is an authentic original vintage poster, not a reproduction.

Artist: William Bowyer Title: Cornwall Date: circa 1950 Publisher: British Railways (Western Region) Printer: N. Lloyd & Co. Ltd., London SE1 Country: United Kingdom Medium: Original lithograph in colours on paper Size: Quad Royal, 40 × 50 inches / 102 × 127 cm Condition: Excellent overall condition, recently professionally linen backed and restored Framing: Unframed

A striking and highly displayable original for collectors of British railway posters, Cornwall material, pictorial maps, and decorative mid-century travel art.

Please review all photographs carefully, as they form part of the description. Packed with great care and shipped fully insured.