From there the railway companies realised the benefits of a captive audience and started to introduce informative system maps and adverts.

These gradually developed into what we regard as modern carriage prints. The artwork was prepared by artists employed by the railways to capture a particular view and then prints were produced of the view, often in considerable numbers, and displayed in the carriages in frames with toughened safety glass.

The value of a print depends on aesthetic quality and scarcity. You should be able to pick up a common unframed print for about £20 and a good quality rare one for around £350. If the picture is framed it will add about £20 to the price, more if it is an original frame rather than a modern copy. Shown below are a selection of unframed BR Carriage Prints.

The authority on the subject is Greg Norden who has written a wonderful book called "Landscapes Under the Luggage Rack" which is comprehensively illustrated and tells the complete story of these varied prints and is a must for anyone wanting to start a collection. Click here to view his website

Unless you are buying a scarce print you are best advised to go for one in Mint condition.

Carriage prints appear in all Railwayana Auctions and if you are going to buy any I would suggest you buy ones that are framed as it is not that easy to get a modern version of an original frame.