History hunters can now view two restored posters at Denbighshire’s Record Office – The Tree of Health and Happiness and The Tree of Misery and Death
Denbighshire Archives has recently restored the pair of extremely rare 19th Century cartoon posters – we only know of one other copy of one of them, ‘The Tree of Misery and Death’.
They are beautiful examples of Victorian Temperance art, published in 1880 by G Peake at Rhosymedre, near Ruabon.
They both depict a group of people standing beneath a tree, and making appropriate comments on the benefits of sobriety and the perils inebriation respectively.
The trunk and branches of each tree are also labelled with appropriate sentiments which make interesting and quite amusing reading for modern eyes.
At some time before they arrived at the record office, someone had attempted to reinforce them using plastic and sellotape, which had resulted in severe damage.
A freelance conservator, Graham Storey, based in Maesbrook in Shropshire has undertaken some very delicate and meticulous work to restore them to a usable condition. They are now available for consultation in the public searchroom by anyone who is interested in how some Victorians viewed the ‘Demon Drink’!
Denbighshire County Council’s Record Office opening times are as follows:
- Monday 10am -12.30 & 1.30 – 4.45
- Tuesday 10am -12.30 & 1.30 – 4.45
- Wednesday 10am -12.30 & 1.30 – 4.45
- Thursday 10am -12.30 & 1.30 – 4.45
- Friday 10am -12.30 & 1.30 – 4.15
