Rowntree's Elect Cocoa (1899)

Dated 1899, "Rowntree's Elect Cocoa" is an artwork by William Nicholson. Historical background, 1899: In the 1890s, colour lithography and Art Nouveau made the illustrated poster a celebrated art form. The later nineteenth century is the era of Impressionism, whose first group exhibition was held in Paris in 1874, followed by Post-Impressionism, Symbolism, and the Arts and Crafts movement. Vintage Posters, a short history: Colour lithography in the 1890s turned the illustrated poster into a major art form, and cities such as Paris and Prague became centres of poster design. Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and later modernist design each left a recognisable poster style. It is listed in the Vintage Posters collection. The image is in portrait orientation.

Buying "Rowntree's Elect Cocoa" means getting a digital file, not a physical print: Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI, delivered by email once payment is confirmed. A 300 DPI file is intended for printing at home or at a local print shop, where you can choose a matte, satin, or fine-art paper to suit the room. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. Vintage posters bring character, graphic texture, and a collected feel to the room, while pairing easily with both contemporary furniture and eclectic styling. A simple frame with a mat often helps an image settle comfortably into a room. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks.

English, 1872–1949

If you like the visual language of William Nicholson, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.