A. E. Halliwell (1905-1987)
War is War

Gouache
21 x 19 cm (full sheet size 38 x 28 cm)
c.1930
With signature and title from applied support paper
Provenance: Family of the artist

A.E. Halliwell (1905–1986) was a British artist, illustrator, and designer best known for his vibrant poster designs created for British railway companies during the mid-20th century. Born in Southport, Halliwell developed a strong foundation in art and design early in life. He studied at the Southport School of Art from 1923 to 1926 before graduating to the Royal College of Art in London and subsequently practising as a professional designer from the 1930s. Following his studies, Halliwell married Doris Doyle in Strood Kent, and  went on to have a significant teaching career himself, most notably as a lecturer at the Central School of Arts and Crafts (later part of Central Saint Martins), where he influenced a new generation of designers and illustrators.

Halliwell is perhaps best remembered for his vibrant and engaging poster designs created for British railway companies during the 1930s. His work was characterised by a bright, graphic style that balanced charm with clarity, often depicting idealised scenes of British holiday destinations—from sunny seaside towns to tranquil countryside vistas. Beyond posters, his artistic output included book illustration, commercial design, and stage costume sketches, showcasing his versatility across mediums. His posters continue to remain enduring symbols of a golden age of British travel and design and are displayed in major collections including the London Transport Museum and the V & A.

Halliwell produced this book dust cover design for the novel ‘War is War’, written by Alfred Burrage and published in 1930. In War is War, Burrage recounts his experiences as a private soldier in France during the First World War, his reactions to abnormal conditions and his general observations– all in an effort to offer a true representation of what war is really like. In this account, written of necessity under a pseudonym, he covers the wide canvas of war, from off duty moments in grubby estaminets and brothels, to life in shell torn trenches, going over the top with equally terrified yet resigned comrades, being a casualty, to periods of numbing boredom. Halliwell’s design is sombre and impactful, using minimal colour and abstract forms to evoke the horrors and futility of war.

Condition: Generally very good.

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