7 th January 2005
"Landscape under the Luggage Rack" by Greg Norden
We were delighted that Percy Norden a long time member arranged for his son to visit him and at the same time make a presentation at the first meeting of the New Year 2005. This turned out to be a rather unusual topic but Greg Norden (left) with the aid of his lap top computer a computer projector and Power Point presentation gave a delightful and well illustrated covering of his subject.
Greg indicated this started out as a hobby but has progressed to a more commercial project with the writing of associated books (more below) and the purchase or sale of pictures both prints and originals, these can be found on the link below to his web site, well worth a visit.
He has over twelve years of railway experience mainly working in the movement of goods rather than passenger, then into the stressful arena of DIY marketing, seeking a more restful period he remembered in the past had obtained a selection of carriage pictures, he reviewed this area and found although there were plenty of books and collections and museums/clubs on railway history there was a niche market not covered about posters and carriage prints, hence his expertise in this subject.
He reminded us with some images of the type of posters that were used, these ranged from a town or seaside shown in water colours of delightful places, this jerked the memories of the members who remembered the days before we all became car fanatics!
He also showed us the changes generate by WW11 when these carriage prints carried warning and instructions of how we should behave in a time of war etc.
Greg pointed out this type of advertising was considered a non-runner by certain of the management, but in the end were proven wrong. He then in lightening speed covered all the pre-nationalisation areas of the railway network, he must have shown over 200 pictures, a really tremendous achievement as he was able to give a running commentary on all of the slides, a breath taking lecture, well done Greg.
After answering all our questions Pat Hunt gave a glowing tribute to this presentation and the members agreed with a generous round of applause.
Just published... one of the great railway poster books - and only £19.50
Using many of the prints from his personal collection, Greg Norden takes us on a nostalgic tour of Britain in the mid-20th century, before modern town planning and the motor car had exerted their baneful influence on the landscape. From the mid 1930s to the late 1960s, trains virtually became travelling art galleries and it is this period which forms the centrepiece of this book.
Dividing the subject geographically, he takes us on a carriage seat tour and covers six regions featuring a variety of scenes - from fascinating views of towns and cities to pleasant villages in rural areas; from the rugged mountains of Scotland and Wales to the numerous ports and resorts around the coast of Britain, dwelling on such pleasures as a railway outing to the seaside. He also devotes a chapter to the artists and the artwork and another to the collecting of carriage prints today.
With its well researched, often humorous narrative, 200 illustrations with full captions, biographies of the artists and comprehensive print listings, this definitive book will appeal to railway enthusiasts and historians, art and antique collectors, lovers of watercolour and commercial art and all beguiled by images of the landscape during the age of steam.
If you missed the opportunity to purchase then visit his web site and order online.
All the images on this page are copyright of Greg Norden.