Vintage Framed Print of “Cries of London – Scarlet Strawberries” by Vernon de Beauvoir Ward 1951

Vintage 1950s print of “Scarlet Strawberries” by 20th century English painter Vernon de Beauvoir Ward (1905-1985) from a “Cries of London” series.  See history below.  The print was issued by Reliable Manufacturing Company of Newark, NJ, and is framed under glass in a gold frame with newer dust cover and original label.  The print is signed “V de Beauvoir Ward 51.”  It depicts a street scene of a fruit vendor offering her produce to a well-to-do couple in 18th century dress.  There’s a lot of movement and activity in the scene, which includes a black kitten playing with a dropped strawberry, a toddler reaching for the contents of a wheelbarrow, a dog showing interest in an older girl who isn’t too sure about the dog’s intentions and holds on to the strawberry vendor’s skirts.  The well-dressed woman extends a gloved hand holding a coin–perhaps she’s buying strawberries; perhaps she’s just offering alms.  In the background we see a man holding his end of a sedan chair while also gazing towards the scene with the fruit vendor.  See dimensions and condition description below.  

APPROX. DIMENSIONS:   Overall: 18.5″ x 14.5″ – Print: 16″ x 12″

CONDITION: Very good preowned vintage condition with some wear to the print visible along the top edge.  Colors are nice and vibrant; frame has a few nicks along the top edge; glass in good condition.

HISTORY (from online sources): Vernon Ward was a British commercial artist known for his exquisite use of light and spatial arrangements on his canvases.  He captured the life and leisure pursuits of Edwardian England through still life, landscapes, and portraits.  Born Vernon de Beauvoir Ward in 1905 in London, he studied under Henry Tonks at the Slade School of Art and went on to illustrate a variety of graphic materials, such as commercial packaging and greeting cards.  In the 1950s, he produced a number of genre paintings showing 18th century London street-vendor scenes called “Cries of London.”  He was given his first solo exhibition at the King Street Galleries in 1976.  A member of the New Society of Artists, Ward died in 1985 in London.

The ”Cries of London” was a recurring theme in English printmaking for over three centuries.  These colorful prints form a visual record of London’s “lower orders,” the peddlers, street hawkers, milkmaids, and grocers who made their living on the city streets.  They give the viewer a glimpse of a long-forgotten London where tradesmen would advertise their wares with a musical shout or a melodic rhyme.  Different versions of the “Cries” vary in ton e from idealistic visions of contented street vendors wo satirical caricatures of humorous urban figures.

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A WORD ABOUT VINTAGE: Our inventory consists of vintage or antique items which are more than 20 years old, usually used or pre-owned, unless marked “new old stock.”  As such, there may be signs of wear and age, which we will disclose to the best of our ability.  Nevertheless, we encourage you to carefully read the description and view the photos, especially when purchasing a gift.  All items ship with tracking and insurance, and although we do not accept returns, we will offer a refund in case of breakage or damage during transit, upon receipt of sufficient proof. 

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