The Pallant House Gallery in Chichester today opened a fascinating exhibition of historic lithographs originally used to promote the 1956 and 1962 editions of the Guinness Book of Records. 
 
Entitled ‘Prints for the Pub: The Guinness Lithographs’, the collection consists of two sets of six colourful prints that were commissioned by Guinness Breweries to reflect the content of the books.
 
Ronald Glendening
Ronald Glendening, Cycle Racing, 1956, colour lithograph, © The Estate of the Artist
 
Created to decorate places where Guinness Breweries sold their drinks and books, the artists were briefed to develop artworks that would brighten up often drab public spaces like pubs, cars, working man’s clubs and canteens.
 
Rosamund Steed Sailing at Cork 1962 colour lithograph
Rosamund Steed, Sailing at Cork, 1962, colour lithograph, © The Artist
This image depicts Cork, which held the record as the oldest sailing club
 
The first set of lithographs was led by skilled print-maker Barnett Freedman and depicts subjects from the debut Guinness Book of Records such as fishing, football, darts, pigeon racing and horse racing.
 
These were created by Royal College of Art (RCA) lecturers Edwin La Dell, Edward Ardizzone and Barnett Freedman, RCA alumni Bernard Cheese and Ronald Glendening, and Brian Robb, a lecturer at the Chelsea School of Art.
 
The second series was commissioned for the book’s fourth edition in 1962 and involved David Gentleman, Alistair Grant, Richard Guyatt, Leonard Rosoman, Rosamund Steed and Carel Weight.
 
Alistair Grant Pigeon Racing 1962 colour lithograph
Alistair Grant, Pigeon Racing, 1962, colour lithograph, © The Estate of the Artist
This image reflects records referencing pigeon racing in the sports chapter, including the longest duration for a homing flight and the best speeds.
 
These incredible prints provide a fascinating insight into the social history during the creation of the first editions of the Guinness Book of Records - now Guinness World Records.
 
Prints for the Pub: The Guinness Lithographs will be on display in the De’Longhi Print Room at Pallant House Gallery in Chichester, UK from 19 October 2016 – 15 January 2017. More information on the exhibition can be found here.

Who? When? Where? The Story of the Guinness Lithographs by Emma Mason has been published to accompany the exhibition and contains an exclusive foreword from Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday, who declares the lithographs "Officially Amazing". The book can be purchased direct from www.emmamason.co.uk and Amazon.
 
To find out more about the history of Guinness World Records – the ultimate authority in record breaking achievements - head here.