Lincoln and Lincolnshire and Cathedrals on the Route to the North tourist brochure

A colourful folding brochure entitled Lincoln and Lincolnshire issued by the Great Northern Railway in c.1907 with covers decorated by colour sketches of Lincoln by “E.W.” As well as Lincoln and the surrounding county the brochure looks at the various cathedrals found en route from London Kings Cross toward Yorkshire. The covers also show the GNR’s unusual, for the UK, almost American style ‘herald’ or badge.

The text is set in red caps from Florentine Old Style. This typeface originated circa 1894 at Dickinson in Boston, Massachussetts, inspired by Renaissance inscriptions from Florence, Italy. First shown by ATF in their 1896 catalog, it was also produced by various other foundries, including in Italy, Austria, and Australia. Caslon in England had a wood type adaptation. The use in this brochure suggests that it was locally available in smaller sizes, too.

The Great Northern Railway was incorporated in 1846 and began operations in a small way in 1848. It took some years to finally construct and open what is now the East Coast Main lIne southcof Doncaster to London but this was to become, along with the GNR, part of the vital main line from London to Scotland via York and Newcastle that was jointly operated by the GNR, the North Eastern Railway and the North British Railway. The GNR also operated a network of branch lines in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, the latter being of particular importance in terms of access to the county’s great coalfields.

This inner fold shows a wonderful view of the city, somewhat dominated by the cathedral, across the meadows.