John Hassall (1868 – 1948) was an English illustrator, known for his advertisements and poster designs.
Hassall was born in Walmer, Kent, and was educated in Worthing, at Newton Abbot College, and at Neuenheim College, Heidelberg. After twice failing entry to The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, he emigrated to Manitoba in Canada in 1888 to begin farming with his brother Owen. He returned to London two years later when he had drawings accepted by the Graphic. At the suggestion of Dudley Hardy (along with Cecil Aldin, a lifelong friend), he studied art in Antwerp and Paris. During this time he was influenced by the famous poster artist Alphonse Mucha.
Arguably John Hassall's most famous creation was "The Jolly Fisherman" in 1908, which is regarded as one of the most famous holiday advertisements of all time. His 1910 design for the Kodak Girl, in her iconic striped blue and white dress, became a feature of Kodak's advertising to the 1970s. Hassall's design was continually updated to reflect changing fashions and trends and was longer lasting and of greater international significance than his Jolly Fisherman.
For more information on John Hassall, and for earlier works see part 1. For earlier works see parts 1 - 5 also.
This is part 6 of an 11-part series on the works of John Hassall:
![]() |
1904 Postcard "I've been kept fearfully busy" |
![]() |
1904 Postcard "P.S. Dont Keep me in suspense" |
![]() |
1904 Postcard "Dear - Come over and see us" |
![]() |
1904 Postcard "Dear - I may be prevented from coming" |
![]() |
1904 Postcard "Dear - My Word! I was surprised." |
![]() |
1904 Postcard "I am leaving this place" |
![]() |
1904 Postcard "I will be with you -" |
![]() |
1904 Postcard "If you are passing this way tomorrow -" |
![]() |
1904 Postcard "Now that I am feeling well again." |
![]() |
1904 Postcard "P.S. Come just as you are." |
![]() |
1904 Postcard "Do you think you'll be in" |
![]() |
1904 Postcard 'P.S. Don't forget the time" |
![]() |
1904 Studies of Chidren. By John Hassall A Modern Version of Little Red Riding Hood The Sketch. November 16 1904 |
![]() |
1904 Studies of Children. By John Hassall The Sloe Gatherers: A Country Study The Sketch. November 9 1904 |
![]() |
1904 Studies of Children. By John Hassall "Oh Mummy, Can I Have one of These?"The Sketch. November 2 1904 |
![]() |
1904 The White Cat chromolithograph theatre poster for Drury Lane Pantomime, London 50.8 x 76.3 cm |
![]() |
1904 Veritas Mantles for Strength & Brilliancy colour lithograph poster 41.9 x 29.2 cm |
![]() |
c1904 Postcard "Look before you leap." |
![]() |
1905 "But things like that, you know, must be after a famous victory." The Sketch. April 12 1905 |
![]() |
1905 "Modern Education" The Bystander. October 18 1905 |
![]() |
1905 A Problem of the Unemployed. - Expounded by John Hassall The Sketch. January 18 1905 |
![]() |
1905 An Unlooked-for Catch. The Sketch. October 11 1905 |
![]() |
1905 Cinderella chromolithogaph poster for Drury Lane Theatre, London |
![]() |
1905 Dont Tell! by John Hassall & G.E. Farrow published by Alf Cooke Ltd, London & Leeds |
![]() |
1905 Dont Tell! by John Hassall & G.E. Farrow |
![]() |
1905 Dont Tell! by John Hassall & G.E. Farrow |
![]() |
1905 John Hassall Imagines a Suitable Holiday Resort for his Enemies. The Sketch. June 28 1905 |
![]() |
1905 Life's Little Ironies - Outdoors The Bystander. April 5 1905 |
![]() |
1905 Our Comic Artist Paints a "Real Picture" for The Academy. The Sketch. April 5 1905 |
![]() |
1905 Postcard "A stitch in time saves nine" |
![]() |
1905 The Dickens Characters Ball at the Empress Rooms. The Sketch. February 1 1905 |
![]() |
1905 The Future Carlton for Babies - as Imagined by John Hassall The Sketch. January 25 1905 |
![]() |
1905 The Humourist in the Sick-Room. The Sketch. January 4 1905 |
![]() |
1905 The Illogical Humanitarian - by John Hassall. The Sketch. March 8 1905 |
![]() |
1905 The True Story of the Recent Fog. The Sketch. January 4 1905 |
![]() |
1905c "Putting Out" under Edward VII chromolithograph poster 32.5 x 61 cm |
![]() |
1905c "Through the Green" with The Georges chromolithograph poster 32.5 x 61 cm |
![]() |
1905c The Dear Old Nursery Tales published by Blackie & Son |
![]() |
1906 "How Doth the Busy Bee -" The Sketch. May 30 1906 |
![]() |
1906 A Question of Figure. The Sketch. August 1 1906 |
![]() |
1906 Art, the Man, and the Manager. The Sketch. January 10 1906 |
![]() |
1906 Lucky Dog! The Sketch. February 7 1906 |
![]() |
1906 More Shocking Conduct! The Sketch. March 7 1906 |
![]() |
1906 Lucky Jim Comes into a Fortune. The Sketch. May 16 1906 |
1904 Round the World ABCby John Hassall and G.E. Farrow: