TWO EARLY 20TH C. FRAMED THAMES CONSERVANCY NOTICES
£150
£999
The Thames Conservancy was an organisation founded in 1857, responsible for the management of London's River Thames. In 1974 the Conservancy was taken into the Thames Water Authority, later to devolve to the Environment Agency in almost all respects.
These two notices warn against the throwing of "bottles, paper or rubbish" ... a maximum penalty of £50 (a hefty amount for the time), by order of F. W. Geary, Secretary. I suspect that the upper poster, with the rather wonderful 'Conservators of the River Thames' coat of arms, is earlier than the lower poster. The wording changes slightly between the two and the lower example has lost it's coat of arms and adopted a bolder typeface. Both share the same address and both are by order of Mr. Geary. I can't find out when Mr Geary was Secretary for the organisation, but his orders to appear on a sign dated to 1912, so it's safe to assume that these posters are from the earlier part of the 20th century. The two are displayed in a period frame with a lovely craquelure to it's varnished surface. Why two notices conveying the same message were displayed together I'm not sure but it would seem they've been together most of their lives. Both have some staining and discolouring, the lower some fairly heavy water marking - perhaps from it's time on the banks of the Thames.
A curious item and a wonderful piece of London history with an authentic antique look. In total the piece measures 54.5cm high x 25.5cm wide x 2cm deep.
S/N: #1471
189c3763-73c5-1237-3c97-0aee3fee66eb
189c3763-73c5-1237-3c97-0aee3fee66eb
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