Gorgeous Vintage British Road Safety Ads, 1939-1946
By Maria Popova
Vintage visual communication has a special kind of mesmerism — from travel posters to political infographics to science ads. But beautifully designed vintage PSAs and public-interest propaganda stand as a particularly striking echelon of design as a mind-mover, and perhaps a bittersweet testament to the downhill spiral of similarly intentioned modern-day creative efforts. On the heels of this 1969 bike safety manual come a series of stunning vintage road safety from the UK National Archives.

Artist: Tom Gentleman
Pastel and gouache on paper. Graphite lines, numbers and inscriptions.

Artist: Tom Gentleman
Pastel and gouache on paper. Graphite lines, numbers and inscriptions.

Artist: Tom Gentleman
Pastel and gouache on paper. Graphite lines, numbers and inscriptions.

Artist: Tom Gentleman
Pastel and gouache on paper. Graphite lines, numbers and inscriptions.

Artist: Ashley

Artist: Pat Keely
Gouache appears to have been applied to thick paper stuck to a board support. Ink has possibly been used for the technique of air-brushing.

Artist: Pat Keely
Gouache appears to have been applied to thick paper stuck to a board support. Ink has possibly been used for the technique of air-brushing.

Artist: Pat Keely
Gouache appears to have been applied to thick paper stuck to a board support. Ink has possibly been used for the technique of air-brushing. There is a graphite mark on the board.

Artist: Pat Keely
Gouache appears to have been applied to thick paper stuck to a board support. Ink has possibly been used for the technique of air-brushing. There is a graphite mark on the board.

Artist: Pat Keely
Gouache appears to have been applied to thick paper stuck to a board support. Ink has possibly been used for the technique of air-brushing.
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Published January 16, 2013
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https://www.themarginalian.org/2013/01/16/vintage-road-safety-psa/
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