Catalogue Number
NMLH.1992.139
Object Name
Drawing
Title
NATIONAL CLARION VAN 1914
Place
Shrewsbury & Shropshire: van presented at Clarion Meet, Shrewsbury, 1914 & England & UK
People
Crane, Walter
Events
Clarion Meet & Shrewsbury
Date
1914
Creator(s)Crane, Walter
Description
Walter Crane's socialist art was one of the main sources of imagery for British socialism upto and beyond World War One. Crane gave generously of his designs to socialists and trade unions, sometimes taking no payment. His drawings and prints were sources of inspiration -- Cartoons for the Cause.
This design of 1914 for the National Clarion van was probably supplied free of charge. The vehicle was made in time for the large Clarion gathering at Shrewsbury in 1914.
The name Clarion was taken from the title of a widely-read socialist newspaper of the time founded by Robert Blatchford. Many Clarion readers travelled by Clarion van and bicycle to spread the word of socialism as expounded in the Clarion newspaper, sometimes getting a rough reception. The Clarion movement was most active in the Lancashire and West Yorkshire areas up to World War One.
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