Kerry Lee (1903-1988)

‘Cambridge’ Original Poster Map c. 1950

45x58cm

Original Vintage Lithographic poster

Published by Pictorial Maps Limited, Kerry Lee’s own company

This edition of the map was produced around 1950, depicting the historical centre of Cambridge and 20 Cambridge colleges around the edges with their founders.

Well known as a creator of pictorial maps of British cities from the mid 20th century, he generally draws a self-portrait in the bottom corner by his signature – as here, where he is seen painting (mustachioed and bearded, and clad in a green tunic) with his ever-faithful dog Jim. Educated at Reading Schools of Arts and Science, the Slade and the Sorbonne in Paris, he subsequently assisted his step-father, an architect named Mr Harvey, as draftsman. Following the Depression Lee set up ‘Associated Artists’ at Blandford Studios off Baker Street, with a group of other commercial artists.

During World War 2 he was based in Hertfordshire creating detailed cut-away drawings of German aircraft, and after the war – still at Blandford Studios – published a series of pictorial maps, both those for British Rail and also his own publications.