Images Dated 2021

Winter in the West publicity guide, 1933

This publicity brochure was produced by the GWR in 1933. It was designed by Leonard Cusden and used to promote winter holiday destinations. By the 1930s the GWR were using strong stylised images in their promotional campaigns. Exotic imagery was popular amongst Art Deco designers. The pier in the background of this image is reminiscent of a Chinese pagoda with the surrounding black trees adding a touch of the Orient

© STEAM Museum of the GWR

Luxulyan Village, Cornwall, August 1928

A GWR publicity view of the village of Luxulyan near St Austell in Cornwall taken in August 1928.
This image shows the tower of the Luxulyan St Cyriacus & St Julitta Church, and a number of cottages in the village. Luxulyan lies in the wooded Luxulyan Valley; an important industrial area in the 19th century with many of the structures associated with the River Par and the nearby china clay deposits, including the Treffry Aqueduct still visible today

© STEAM Museum of the GWR

St Keyne's Well, near Looe, Cornwall, March 1924

A GWR publicity image of St Keyne's Well, near the coastal town of Looe in Cornwall. This photograph was taken in March 1924 some 12 years before the lane where the holy well is sited was widened leading to the well being rebuilt.
The well was first constructed circa 16th century and is tied to the legend of St Keyne; a princess who is said to have bathed in the waters of the spring. To this day recently married couples race each other to be the first to drink from the well; as Robert Southey's poem states "If the husband of this gifted well Should drink before his wife A happy man henceforth is he For he shall be master for life"

© STEAM Museum of the GWR