Gill's celebrated poster showing the primary sources of British Tea in the early 20th century: India, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, and Java. Presented in Gill's iconic pictorial style with charming illustrations of famous landmarks, native flora and fauna, sailing ships, and a windhead reminiscent of 16th century world maps. Ribbons are used to label the port cities; this was very typical of the “faux medieval” style Gill loved and employed with regularity.

This map was published as an advertisement for the Tea Market Expansion Board, one of several trade groups promoting tea consumption in Britain and across the British Empire. Gill produced several poster commissions for the tea industry in the 1930s and '40s, including a map of Sri Lanka for the Ceylon Tea Propaganda Board and a glorious world map entitled 'Tea Revives the World', also produced for the Tea Market Expansion Board.

MacDonald Gill is also known for his work on behalf of the London Underground, producing everything from small pamphlet maps of the rail network to enormous advertising posters like his magnificent 'London Wonderground Map'.

Backed on archival linen. Printed colour. [SL]