Catalogue Number
NMLH.2025.37.61
Object Name
Poster
Title
The Rotten Apple - Republic of South Africa
Place
Paddington Printshop, London; South Africa
People
John Phillips (designer); Paddington Printshop
Date
1896
Description
Screenprinted poster, "The Rotten Apple - Republic of South Africa" in white bold text along the bottom of the poster. Above is a simplified graphic of an apple, all green with a blue outline. Inside the apple is a blue print of a photograph of four or five white men with large guns, looking into the camera. Above the apple is an oval shape in blue containing "cape" in white, like an apple sticker.
This poster was made by Paddington Printshop, a community graphic design and print workshop in West London, co-founded by John Phillips and Pippa Smith. Between 1975-1991, the centre printed over 400 designs for left-wing community organisations. These publicised local political campaigns such as housing rights and food co-ops, to social gatherings including play days, gardening clubs, gigs and festivals. Their do-it-yourself style was part of the proto-punk ethos.
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