About this Event
‘John Hassall (1868–1942) was known in his lifetime as “the king of poster artists,” and his images were once everywhere: on streets, in shops, and across everyday life. This talk explores his food and drink advertising, drawing on material from the Hassall Archive, held by the University of Essex Library’s Special Collections.
We’ll look at posters, printed adverts, and working sketches, alongside entries from Hassall’s diaries and order books, to trace how his designs developed from commission to completion. Along the way, we’ll consider what these advertisements can tell us about everyday tastes, leisure, and daily life in early twentieth-century Britain.’
All images are courtesy of the John Hassall Collection. Special Collections, Albert Sloman Library, University of Essex
This event is part of Southend Libraries' Festival of Learning 2026
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Southend Central Library at The Forum, Elmer Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00












