The most intriguing British Dunlop ads of the thirties.
About Dunlop Tyre
Dunlop is an iconic British brand, created in 1888 by John Boyd Dunlop, who invented the pneumatic tire, a revolutionary creation that transformed the automotive industry. Inspired by his son’s tricycle struggles with hard rubber tires, this practical air-filled tire, patented by Dunlop, laid the foundation for the Dunlop Pneumatic Tire Co. Ltd. in Dublin, Ireland.
By the start of World War II, Dunlop had become synonymous with success across a diverse range of industries. Not only did it dominate the tire market, both on and off the racetrack, but it also excelled in the production of brakes, wheels, golf and tennis balls, flooring, and other industrial rubber products.
The original Dunlop company no longer exists as a corporate entity; the name lives on in several Dunlop-branded products owned by different companies, including automotive, aerospatial, industrial, and sporting products around the world.
DISTINCTION.
Dunlop Reinforced Ad.
The Sketch Magazine.
March 22, 1933
Dunlop Advertisement in the United Kingdom.
Throughout the 20th century, Dunlop was one of the leading advertisers in the United Kingdom. In the 1930s, the company launched several advertising campaigns. Still, in this story, we will focus on the most intriguing campaign, from 1933 to 1938, featuring beautiful illustrations created by various artists.
The illustrations are carefully crafted to depict a variety of social situations, often of an exclusive nature. Even when the Dunlop tire is not the central focus, it manages to make a striking appearance, leaving a lasting impression.
Unfortunately, most artworks were not credited or signed, and it was impossible to trace the authors.
It’s almost unbelievable, but despite the brand’s significance and the hundreds of ads published, the documentation is incredibly scarce, underscoring the rarity and value of the information we do have.
One notable exception is a series of ads from 1936. In this campaign, the company made a significant move by hiring leading illustrators and painters. What’s more, readers could even request a free reproduction of the artworks.
Aristocrats. Elegant lady with greyhounds.
Dunlop Tire Ad.
Artwork by Neil Baylis.
Britannia and Eve Magazine.
February 1933.
A wealthy, elegant couple night swim.
Dunlop Tire Ad.
Britannia and Eve Magazine.
August 1933
Masters. Riders and hounds leaving for fox hunting.
Dunlop Advertisement.
The Sketch, November 1933.
Goodwill. Dunlop season greetings.
Britannia and Eve Magazine.
December 1933.
Greeting friends on the riverfront with a Dunlop Tire in the foreground.
Dunlop Tire Ad.
The Tatler, May 2, 1934
Night traffic jam on icy streets.
Dunlop Tire Ad.
The Tatler, October 31, 1934.
Perfect Control. Traffic cop in London. Dunlop Fort 90 tire ad.
Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic New, August 9, 1935
A military salute at an officer’s wedding.
Dunlop Tire Ad.
Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, June 21, 1935.
A peacock and a Dunlop Fort “90” tire advertisement.
Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, August 9, 1935.
Dunlop Season Greetings 1935 with a car and a toy car with Dunlop Fort “90” tires.
Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, December 13, 1935.
Surreal fall landscape with a lake.
Painting by Ernest Wallcousins.
Dunlop advertisement 1935.
Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, October 4, 1935
Merry Xmas. Dunlop season greetings, 1936 ad.
Artwork by Gerry Wood.
Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, December 18, 1936.
The 1936 campaign by leading artists.
As said, until 1935, the company didn’t credit the artists.
For the 1936 advertising campaign, Dunlop enlisted some of the leading artists of the time, primarily landscape painters, a different one for each ad. Readers could receive a free color reproduction of the original artwork.
W. Smithson Broadhead’s illustration stood out as the most beautiful among these.
Fox hunting on a country road. Painting by Algernon Talmage. Dunlop ad.
Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, February 21, 1936.
Spring blossoms in a country village. Artwork by Ernest Wallcousins.
Dunlop ad.
Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, May 22, 1936.
A giant bare tree in a country village. Dunlop ad. Painting by James Bateman.
The Bystander, March 4, 1936
A lady in sports attire at a polo match. Painting by Smithson Broadhead.
Dunlop ad.
Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, June 19, 1936.
An Idyllic fall landscape with a lake. Painting by Lamorna Birch. Dunlop ad.
Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, June 19, 1936.
Driving on a winter night on a country road, Dunlop Ad 1936.
Artwork by Christopher Nevinson.
Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic, November 13, 1936
Lastly, the remarkable advertisements from 1938.
Lastly, the remarkable advertisements from 1938 are truly noteworthy. Unfortunately, the company once again neglected to credit the artists involved. We are diligently working to uncover their names or to decipher any signatures where available.
1938 marked the last time Dunlop used organic campaigns featuring color illustrations. In the years that followed, the company made significant changes to its advertising style.
1938 Tennis and golf players’ advertisement, featuring the Dunlop range, including Dunlop tires, balls, rackets, and sportswear.
The Bystander, March 25, 1938.
Dunlop Tyres– first in 1888 are first today. Supremacy in the world of tyres is reflected today in the sphere of sport. Dunlop Golf and Tennis Balls, Rackets, Sportswear and Footwear are famous all over the world. Each Dunlop product is made in a specialised factory to the highest standard of quality.
A 1938 Dunlop ad featuring an Armstrong Whitworth Ensign of Imperial Airways aircraft and a classic car.
The Bystander, July 13, 1938.
This image focuses on two of Dunlop’s favorite topics: elegance and sophistication associated with luxury and the progress and innovation of the 1930s, highlighting technological advancements in air and land travel.
Had it not been for John Boyd Dunlop’s invention of the pneumatic tyre in 1888, even man’s conquest of the air might have been long delayed. It was the Dunlop tyre which made possible every form of smooth, swift progress on the ground or off it. More than that, landing Tyres have contributed materially to the progressive development of aviation. Trust yourself only to the first and still foremost of all tyres.
Trucks and transportation 1938 Dunlop advertisement.
The Bystander, September 21, 1938.
The wheels of modern industry run more swiftly and more smoothly since Dunlop invented his pneumatic tyre in 1888. With the progress it initiated Dunlop keeps pace. Every tyre need for modern transport has been and will always be, met by Dunlop.
Dunlop ad featuring a riding lady and Dunlop Fort tires.
Artwork by Jean Bowman.
The Bystander, November 9, 1938.
The dependability of DUNLOP Tyres and the safety they ensure are accepted universally. So now is the supreme excellence of DUNLOP Weather-wear and Sports-wear in which, again, the protective factor is inseparable from style, distinction, and inherent quality. In fact, the name is synonymous with safety and protection.
Copyright, Links and credits
All the photographs on this page are copyrighted to Roberto Bigano.
LINKS
The Architectural Forum. Reliefs And Grilles Of The Chanin Building Vestibules.
Architectural Design, May 1929, page 693 >
