How Barrow's past posters reflected the changing early 20th century

The collection showcases photographs taken by local men Edward and Raymond Sankey that date back over a hundred years showing the evolution of the town.

Included in the 10,000 images are the many poster and advertisements that offer an added insight into life in the town. 

READ MORE: Barrow's shops of the past before supermarkets and retail parks

The early 20th century was a pivotal time in poster design when the more elaborate Art Nouveau movement that dominated poster design began to be abandoned in favour of more angular Art Deco designs.

Adverts for tourism and events in Barrow show how photographs, still looked down upon in the art world, still played second fiddle to artwork.

The advert for local business Hutchinson Tyres on the front of the no.18 Furness tram in 1917 shows not a picture of a tyre, but an illustration of a cat with the caption 'the tyre with nine lives'.

Witty slogans dominated advertising around this time as there was an increasing emphasis on trying to capture the viewer's attention and imagination on a busy boulevard.

This can be been in the photographs of many Barrow shop fronts such as the Sankey's photography shop itself in the 1930s - which was daubed with 'take friend and make friends, buy your camera now.'

The continuing development of the railway network and technological advancements in train travel saw many people holidaying in new locations.

As such, there are many posters to be found in the Sankey online archive for holidays in the Lake District urging people to 'go by train in comfort'. 

Also included is an advert for 'Lady Moyra', the Furness Railway Ferry.

War in the early 20th century changed the use of posters as they were used as not only for propaganda and communications needs but also document stories and atrocities.

This can be seen in the Daily Mirror's poster on the front of Barrow's Tram 23 tram in 1918.

A soldier is pictured carrying a wounded man next press magnate and a photo of politician Horratio Bottomley - a self-appointed recruiter for the war effort.

Before the influences of the first two World Wars, which saw posters became more typographical and functional, more elaborate artwork was still favoured. 

Theatre in particular was known for its adverts and were an artform in their own right. 

This is reflected in the 1909 photograph of a hand drawn poster for a Pageant Play at Cavendish Park.

The sketch was created by the Drawing Office at Vickers Sons and Maxim for Hospital funds and shows two knights on donkeys with lances with boxing gloves on the end.