Original 1950 Cornwall Travel by Train Poster by Jack Merriott, British Railways

Original Cornwall – Travel by Train poster by Jack Merriott, an authentic British Railways Western Region travel poster published circa 1950 and printed by Jordison & Co. Ltd., London and Middlesbrough. This is the double royal format, measuring 100.5 × 63.5 cm / 39.3 × 25 inches.

This is a beautiful example of post-war British railway advertising at its most atmospheric. Rather than selling Cornwall through bustle or holiday crowds, Merriott gives the viewer something quieter and more lasting: a dramatic cliffside cove, luminous water, a handful of boats pulled close to shore, whitewashed cottages tucked beside the beach, and two small figures taking in the view. The image has a calm, expansive quality that feels both inviting and deeply evocative.

What gives the poster its strength is the combination of painterly freedom and graphic clarity. The handling of light across the sea and cliffs has the freshness of a watercolour, yet the composition remains wonderfully direct and readable from across a room. It is exactly the sort of image that explains why British railway posters remain so collectable: they were created to sell travel, but the best of them became enduring decorative works in their own right.

This poster also belongs to one of the most appealing phases of British Railways design, when the Western Region was promoting coastal holidays and regional scenery to a post-war public eager to travel again. Merriott became one of the most recognisable artists working in that field, and this Cornwall image captures that appeal perfectly: rugged coast, clear sea, and the quiet promise of escape by rail. Current auction and dealer records identify this exact poster as P.R. 122, double royal, and by Jack Merriott.

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

Artist: Jack Merriott Title: Cornwall – Travel by Train Date: circa 1950 Publisher: British Railways (Western Region) Reference: P.R. 122 Printer: Jordison & Co. Ltd., London and Middlesbrough Country: Great Britain Medium: Original offset lithograph in colours on paper Size: 100.5 × 63.5 cm / 39.3 × 25 inches Condition: Excellent overall condition, recently professionally linen backed and restored Framing: Unframed

A highly displayable original for collectors of British railway posters, Cornwall travel material, coastal landscapes, and mid-century decorative works on paper.

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