This is a wonderful 1930s print and a fine piece of social history.
The lithograph is dated 1934 and was made by Arthur Robert Laird. It is signed lower right and is also inscribed in pencil with the title "Staking Kelp, Arran" lower left.
It is in pristine condition and I have had it newly framed by our framer with a fresh window mount before listing it here. So as nice as you might possibly find and all ready just to hang on your wall.
Dimensions: Frame 40.5 x 49 cm. The image size is 24 x 35.5 cm.
It is certainly a fascinating subject with a revived contemporary interest in the harvesting of seaweed. The lithograph three figures, a donkey and piles of kelp for use in the traditional seaweed industry. Dead, "stacked" kelp found on the beach (strand line) is excellent for fertilizer, but it would not have been intended for human consumption, as by this time it would be decomposing and to eat or cook it would have to be fresh.
The piles of kelp in the lithograph are piled so high that a lady is standing high on top of one and looking far out to sea. The donkey would have helped with carting all the kelp from the shore up onto the higher dry land. The activitiy takes place on the Isle of Arran on the west coast of Scotland. The area is surrounded by an adundance of large brown kelp plants that dominate parts of shallow rocky areas and create underwater forests which provide a home for many other plants and animals.
In the early 20th century, seaweed was gathered and dried over several months, with stacks secured by nets and built on a foundation of stones before being burned.
It is now a hard to find artwork - and another impression can be found in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The print was originally designed as the subscription plate issued to Lay members of the Senefelder Club in 1934. My asking price takes into consideration the rarity of this print and the cost involved in getting it professionally framed.
BIOGRAPHY: Arthur Robert Laird (1881-1957) studied at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts where his tutors were Herbert Cole and Francis Jackson. He then attended the Westminster School of Art studying under Walter Sickert and Harold Gilman.
Laird exhibited at the Royal Academy, Royal Society of British Artists and the Society of Graphic Art. He lived in Dulwich and then at Ivy Cottage, London Road, Ewell from about 1914 until his death in 1958.
Laird was certainly a prestigious artist and lithographer who belonged to the Senefelder Club and was vice president of the South London Group. He became secretary of Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts.
Postage will be with Royal Mail Tracked / Parcelforce24 Signed for. It will be also insured in transit to you against any loss or damage in transit.