Fred Monks Display

A display of ties designed by local artist Fred Monks (1912-1982). Fred Monks started his artistic career as a designer at Crosfields soap factory in Warrington before becoming a cartoonist for the Guardian newspapers and then a watercolourist known for his spontaneous local paintings from nature. But unknown to all but a few, Monks also had a second prolific career as a graphic artist including his designs for novelty ties. On show in the museum are a selection of the luminous ties Monks designed for sale during the early 1950s. These examples have been treated with zinc sulphide-based paints and would glow in the dark after having been held up to the light for a few seconds. Also on show in the library are a further selection of ties Monks designed for sale during the early 1950s, including some commemorating Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation and cowboy hero Roy Rogers.