1964 Kew Gardens Poster, London Underground, Royal Botanic Gardens, euphorbia plant, by Mary Kessell, The Tube, travel wall art decor

This Tube (London Underground) poster "Kew Gardens" shows a large, stylized euphorbia plant with a thick brown trunk and broad, dark green and brown leaves dominating the left side. A smaller, spiky potted plant and a blue flower are on the lower right.

The poster clearly states, "THIS IS A REPRODUCTION OF A POSTER DESIGNED FOR LONDON TRANSPORT," indicating it's a later poster, not an original from 1964, but a reprint from the late 1960s or early 1970s from the London Transport Poster Shop in Marylebone in response to public desire to bring these iconic images into their own homes. These officially vintage reproductions are also quite rare as they came from a time close to the release of the original poster.
Text reads: How is your euphorbia? Does your impatiens ever get out of hand? Is your fleabane up to scratch? An hour or two in Kew in the blaze of the summer blossom will put you right. Outside, under trees and birdsong, or inside, under their acres of glass, the Royal Botanic Gardens provide inspiration for the expert, pleasure for the least knowledgeable lover of flowers. Open 10 - 8 (or sunset if earlier) 3d. Houses 1 - 4.50 (5.50 on Sundays). Museums 10 - 4.50 (5.50 on Sundays) Underground to Kew Gardens
Nearest Station: Kew Gardens
Artist: Mary Kessell
Printed by: Gilbt. Whitehead & Co Ltd 264/310M/2700
Dimensions: 40 in x 25 in (102 cm x 64 cm)
Condition: small tear mark on top edge, the paper is a bit rough to the lower right, see photos.

The London Underground (also known simply as the Underground or by its nickname the Tube) is a rapid transit system serving Greater London and some parts of the adjacent home counties of Buckinghamshire, Essex and Hertfordshire in England. The Underground has its origins in the Metropolitan Railway, opening on 10 January 1863 as the world's first underground passenger railway. The Metropolitan is now part of the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines. The first line to operate underground electric traction trains, the City & South London Railway in 1890, is now part of the Northern line.

Mary Kessell (1914-1977) was a distinguished British painter, illustrator, and designer. She studied at the Clapham School of Art and the Royal College of Art. Beyond her poster work for London Transport, she exhibited extensively, including at the Royal Academy.

Because of the age of these posters, there are areas of wear and tear, particularly on the edges. I have done my best to take photos where they are torn or stained. The good news is that when framed, the tears press up well against glass, and edges can be hidden by mats. Any wear picked up from years are part of the vintage charm.

When framed these colourful and detailed posters, with vibrant colours can become a centre piece for any room, to remind us of a simpler time.

These posters are sent as unframed. They will be delivered in a cardboard tube for protection.

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