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Printing a New World: Commercial Graphics in the 1930s
In the 1930s, advances in manufacturing and technology reached into every aspect of daily life, from construction to domestic chores to entertainment.
In the 1930s, advances in manufacturing and technology reached into every aspect of daily life, from construction to domestic chores to entertainment.
This display revealed the daily lives of ordinary people during a time of rapid change and technological innovation, through distinctive examples of small commercial graphic design jobs from British, European and American designers.
This display is now closed at V&A South Kensington
Display highlights
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Sheet steel for better homes, booklet, issued by the British Steelwork Association, 1930s, England. Museum no. 38041800898447. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London -
Rehousing with the aid of electricity, 1934, England. Museum no. 38041800576480. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London -
Lincoln Zephyr V12 Pour l'elite, print, designed by Draeger Brothers for Matford SA, 1930s, France. Museum no. 38041800898249. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London -
Zn: what do you know about zinc?, booklet, Zinc Development Association Limited, 1930s, England. Museum no. 38041800576530. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London -
Frosted foods: purity, economy, convenience, leaflet, printed by Lund, Humphries and Co. Ltd, issued by Birds Eye Ltd, 1930s, England. Museum no. 38041800576332. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London -
Telefunken Radio-Grammo Musikschranke, brochure, printed by Orell Füssli, issued by Telefunken 1934, Germany. Museum no. 38041800898439. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London -
Ski-ing kit, print, Fortnum & MasonLtd, 1930s, England. Museum no. 38041800898439. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London -
Lactoid: the casein plastic, brochure, designed by Maurice V.Bennett for Lund, Humphries & Co. Ltd, issued by British Xylonite Co. Ltd, 1938, England. Museum no. 38041800977852. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London -
Claudegen neon signs: a few typical installations, brochure, issued by Claude-General Neon Lights Ltd, printed by Wilkes & Co. 1930s, England. Museum no. 38041800977852. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
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Header image:
Lincoln Zephyr V12 pour l'elite, brochure, designed by Draeger Brothers for Matford SA, 1936, France. Museum no. 38041800898249. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London