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Elder Dempster Line 'To and from West Africa'

MMM.2005.23

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Black history collection highlights

Examples of objects within National Museums Liverpool's collections that explore Black social history.

About this object

This Elder Dempster poster was designed by Odin Rosenvigne, a leading marine artist who worked in Liverpool. The bright colours and design were influenced by the artist’s travels to Africa.
The changes in shipbuilding technology had implications for the employment of Black seafarers. At that time, Europeans thought the engine rooms were more suited to African and West Indian seafarers from warmer climates.
Elder Dempster was the largest shipping company trading between Europe and West Africa from the late 19th century to the 1980s. It increasingly employed West African crew members, and its employees played a key role in developing economic, social and cultural links between West Africa and the UK.
Black seafarers, for a long time, endured earning less and receiving fewer rations, whilst at the same time carrying out many of the most laborious and dangerous jobs on board.

Object specifics

  • Title
    Elder Dempster Line 'To and from West Africa'
  • Accession no.
    MMM.2005.23
  • Type
    Poster
  • Artist/Maker
    Odin Rosenvinge
  • Place made
    Europe: Northern Europe: UK: England: London
  • Date made
    1914 - 1939
  • Materials
    Paper; Lithography
  • Location
    Item not currently on display
  • Measurements
    990 x 610 mm
  • Related people
    Elder Dempster Lines Ltd (); Odin Rosenvinge (Artist/maker); Turner and Dunnett Lithographs (Artist/maker)
  • Collection
    From the Merseyside Maritime Museum collections
Object view = Social History
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