Margaret Calvert - Typographer (1936-) - “Mrs P’s Journey”

This artwork comes from Margaret Calvert’s personal sketchbook and is a tribute to Phyllis Pearsall, originator of the London A to Z.

In 1935, Mrs Pearsall began her extraordinary solo mission to map London in its entirety. This involved walking over 3000 miles, along 23000 streets. Rising at 5am everyday, she spent 18 hours a day walking and drawing the first London A to Z. She did all of the proofreading and design work herself, and drew up the map with the help of a single draughtsman. Mrs Pearsall was a well respected typographer, whose arrangements are considered highly significant for the era. The A to Z typeface itself is a classic piece of typography by Eric Gill.

The first London A-Z was published in 1936, the same year that Margaret Calvert was born. One of the most important British graphic designers to grace our visual landscape, Margaret (along with the late Jock Kinneir) is responsible for the design of the UK’s road and motorway signage system in a huge and ambitious project carried out between 1957 and the mid-sixties. The system has become the model for navigational signage, including roads, railways and airports, around the world.

From 1987 to 1991, Margaret was Head of Graphic Design at the Royal College of Art, mentoring students who would soon become graphic luminaries including Johnathan Barnbrook and Phil Baines.

Margaret Calvert and Mrs Pearsall share a remarkable affinity; both are highly influential female designers, enamored by London, who quietly embarked on extensive navigational design projects. Each greatly improved everyday life in Britain for millions of people through dedicated and detailed graphic design work.

Mrs P’s Journey is screen-printed in seven colours on Somerset Satin White, 300gsm, A2.

Available from the Design Museum Shop in an edition of 100 only.

All proceeds from sale of this item go directly towards the Design Museum exhibitions and education programme.