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Mabel Lucie Attwell, the famous illustrator was commissioned by the Underground Group of companies to produce a poster of Pantomimes. This poster was first published in 1913 by the Underground Electric Railway Company and its playful theme features pantomime characters asking children "We are off to the pantomime - are you coming too?"
Mabel Lucie Attwell was a butcher's daughter, ninth out of ten children. She grew up drawing fairies and children from her imagination. She never finished formal education, yet the first pictures she gave an agent sold overnight.
Working in watercolour and pen and ink, she began by illustrating children's books for W&R Chambers. By 1911 she was producing postcards and greetings cards with chubby toddlers based on her daughter Peggy. They were very popular and a commercial success, though often panned by the critics as sentimentalising childhood. Throughout her career she also produced calendars, wall plaques, and figurines.
By entering your email address, you will receive the latest London Transport Museum news, events, shopping and appeals, as well as contacting you occasionally to participate in audience research to help inform our activities. Your details will only be used by the Museum and suppliers working on our behalf and you can unsubscribe at any time. Your personal information will be properly safeguarded and processed in accordance with the requirements of privacy and data protection legislation.