WALTER THOMAS ARCA (British, 1894-1971) – An original poster design painting, executed mid 1920s, featuring a four-funnel ocean liner, believed for the Union Castle shipping line. Signed to lower right artwork.

The design is watercolour and gouache on artists board with period printer copyright stamp verso and corresponding applied label “Copyright Drawing Sole Property of James Haworth & Bro. Ltd., 55 Chancery Lane, London” label inscribed “No. 7425”.

Additionally inscribed later verso in an unknown hand with artists details, dates and “White Star Line, c.1925”.

Framed and glazed (Truview glass)

The Artist

Walter Thomas (1894 – 1971) was a naval architect turned painter known particularly for his commercial artwork featuring ocean liners. Initially working with Odin Rosenvinge (famous marine/ poster artist), he produced designs for Blue Funnel Line, Cunard, White Star Line and Lamport & Holt. During the Second World War he was responsible for the camouflage of ships for the admiralty.

The Ocean Liner

The boat featured in this design may be Olympic if the White Star Line later attribution is correct, but more likely based on the flag to the rear of the vessel and 4-funnels, the painting depicts the HMS Windsor Castle (launched 1922) (owned by Union Castle Line) or her sister ship HMS Arundel Castle.

The merger of the Union Line and the Castle Shipping Line formed the Union-Castle Line, operating between Europe and Africa. Most of their ships contained the suffix “Castle” in their names. The Windsor and Arundel were built by Harland and Wolff, Belfast and completed in 1921. They were the only 4-funnel boats that did not travel on the transatlantic route.

The vessels sailed from UK to South Africa (Southampton – Cape Town), rather than Atlantic (which would explain the scenery as some of their ships stopped in Madeira or other African cities on route). The four funnels were reduced to 2 in 1933 to make the ships appear more modern. They were both used during WWII as troop carriers.

The Windsor Castle was torpedoed off Algiers in March 1943; it took her 13 hours to sink meaning the over 2,500 troops and crew could be saved with the loss of only one life! The Arundel survived the war and continued to work until 1958, by which time she had steamed 2,850,000 miles in peacetime service and 625,565 as a troopship.

For a similar design produced by Walter Thomas see ‘Lamport & Holt Cruises’ poster produced 1925 and ‘Cunard: Boston to Europe’ poster produced 1930.

Additionally see ODIN ROSENVINGE (1880-1957) SOUTH & EAST AFRICA / UNION – CASTLE LINE. Circa 1930s. For an unattributed James Howarth Printers design see White Star Line poster circa 1930.

For more information on the artist see The Liners by Terry Coleman.

To read more about Union Castle lines see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union-Castle_Line

For further pieces of transport illustration art included in our store see: RAILWAYANA: Stanley Payne (1902 – 1989): An original Southern Railway poster design concept painting for travel poster entitled “Londres”, circa 1936

Dimensions: The frame 76 cmx 60cm, visible are of picture (including black margin) 59cm x 43.5cm

Price: £1500

Shipping: Price includes free insured shipping to a UK address. If you are based outside of the UK please email us directly for a cost price shipping quote.

Condition Report: Displays excellently, the board itself with are relate wear and rounding to corners. The artwork with some staining/ discolouration to top right corner. Overall good condition.